Karl WP Beyer Saint Martin, one of the Leeward Islands, is a Caribbean oddity. It is the smallest island in the world claimed by two nations simultaneously. Saint Martin is divided into two parts. The northern part – Saint Martin – belongs to France, while the southern section – Sint Maarten – is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Saint Martin – geologically speaking
The island, like many Caribbean islands, is of volcanic origin. Numerous active or inactive volcanoes in the surrounding area attest to this phenomenon. Compared to those islands, Saint Martin is rather hilly. The highest point, at just 424 meters, is the conical Pic Paradis, located in the French part. And while on the neighboring islands, impressive waterfalls, rivers, and lush rainforest often inspire admiration, here it is the sandy beaches that provide entertainment and pleasure.
Saint Martin - Orient Bay
Saint Martin – Facts and Figures
Saint Martin was discovered in 1493 by none other than Christopher Columbus. The discovery took place on St. Martin's Day. Thus, the choice of name was probably not too difficult for the discoverer. For a long time, little happened. At some point, the Dutch built a fortress on Isla de San Martín, which was its former name.
In 1633, Spanish troops conquered the island. In 1648, French and Dutch prisoners of war rebelled against the Spanish; the Spanish were defeated and ceded the island. The Treaty of Concordia of 1648 amicably settled the division of the island between France and the Netherlands.
The island, including several small neighboring islands, is 88 square kilometers in size. The French portion covers 54 square kilometers, the Dutch portion 34 square kilometers. The opposite is true for the population. The 2022 census showed 41.901 citizens with Dutch passports, while just under 31.500 French citizens lived in the French portion in the same year. In total, there are more than 73.000 islanders, who, thanks to the offshore zone established in 1939, are relatively well off in both territories.
Saint Martin - Marigot - Market Stalls
Politically, Sint Maarten has been an "autonomous territory" of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 2010. The head of state is the Dutch king. The capital is Philipsburg. The official currency is the Antillean guilder. The US dollar is accepted everywhere as a secondary currency. Cruisers always get by easily with it in the Caribbean region.
Saint Martin is a so-called French overseas territory. The head of state is the President of the French Republic. The border between the two regions is rather fictitious. Suddenly, you find yourself in a neighboring country. Saint Martin's capital is Marigot. Although it belongs to France, the inhabitants mostly speak English. No wonder; there are even English-language elementary schools. And one more thing: Saint Martin is a member of the EU. This means there are no currency problems. The euro is the currency used in Saint Martin.
Saint Martin – Economy
Sugarcane cultivation once made both territories very prosperous. That changed when the ban on slave labor in the mid-19th century undermined agriculture. The regional economy collapsed. It wasn't until 1939 that Saint Martin was able to escape its severe crisis by declaring itself a free trade zone.
Today, thanks to their diversified economies, the inhabitants of both parts of the island have nothing to complain about. Tourism is the main source of income. Agricultural products, trade, and services are also important. Financial services, in particular, have proven to be a growing economic sector. Given such favorable conditions, it's no wonder that the unemployment rate is relatively low compared to other Caribbean islands.
Saint Martin - Plane Spotter on Maho Beach
Sint Maarten – Destination of the cruise ships
Sint Maarten is one of the most visited cruise destinations in the Caribbean. Cruise ships typically dock in the south of the island, in Philipsburg. On some days, passengers from up to seven ships descend on the port.
Sint Maarten - Cruise ships at the piers of Philipsburg
This is certainly not due so much to the island's sights and beauties. There aren't many of those. It's the free port status that makes shopping in Sint Maarten so interesting. This attracts primarily American visitors like nectar to bees. Speaking of sights: Saint Martin Sights we describe what attracts tourists' attention on the island.
Update April 2025
