Morne

Morne is a geographic term used primarily in the Caribbean to refer to a hill or mountain. The word comes from the French mont or montagne, reflecting the region’s colonial linguistic heritage. In local usage, morne describes elevated landforms that rise above the surrounding terrain and often form distinctive features in island landscapes.

Geographically, a morne can be a forested hill, a steep ascent, or a low mountain, frequently occurring on volcanic islands or in rugged inland areas. The term also appears in place names and settlements, where communities are built on or around such elevations, contributing to the character of the landscape and local navigation.

Notable examples include Morne Diablotins in Dominica, the island’s highest point at about 1,447 meters above sea level, and Morne Trois Pitons, also in Dominica, a volcanic peak that is part of Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Guadeloupe, Morne-à-l’Eau is a coastal commune named after a nearby hill, illustrating how the term permeates both physical geography and toponymy in the region.

The term Morne remains common in Caribbean toponymy and is frequently encountered in maps, travel guides, and historical texts as a descriptor for elevated ground and the names of places associated with such terrain.