Saint Martin is the smallest inhabited island in the world. Saint Martin. Butterfly Island
The island of Saint Martin, also known as the island of Saint Martin, is located in Surprisingly, this small piece of land contains two countries - France and the Netherlands. Moreover, this is the smallest inhabited island in the world. All these incredible facts attract thousands of tourists here every year, fortunately the weather is conducive to a quality holiday - warm sea, clean beaches and the sun that shines almost all year round.
Location of the island
Saint Martin Island is located among the northern range of the Eastern Caribbean Islands. Part of the Small Archipelago
The northern part of the coast of the island is occupied by the French overseas community, and the southern part is considered a self-governing autonomy, but is still part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Dutch part of the island is called Sint Martin.
Each part has its own capital. The French one is called Marigot, and the Dutch one is called Philipsburg.
A remarkable fact is that the island received its name from the British. The original local aborigines always called it Narikel Jinjira, which literally means This is truly a piece of paradise, so it’s not for nothing that many tourists around the world are interested in where the island of St. Martin is located.
Geography
The area of the smallest inhabited island on the planet is only 87 square kilometers. Most of them belong to the French side - about 53 square kilometers, the remaining 34 are administered by the Dutch.
The island of St. Martin has a hilly topography. There are many mountains and hills here, the highest point is Mount Paradise Peak. Its height is 424 meters above sea level. It is located in the French part of the island. Climbing the mountains is convenient and pleasant; most of the hills are covered with forests and greenery.
Climate
The island has a pronounced maritime tropical climate. The rainy season here begins in April and lasts until about November. The rains are heavy, but most often short-lived.
The island of St. Martin is exposed to trade winds at this time of year, which neutralize the high humidity. Therefore, even during these months it is comfortable to relax here. The heat is not felt so much due to the wind.
In the winter months, the temperature drops to 27-29 degrees above zero during the day and 20-22 degrees at night. The humid climate in winter is practically not felt. For tourists on the island there are about 30 beaches, almost all of which have snow-white sand, which makes your vacation unforgettable. Tourist sites are located on both Dutch and French territory.
History of the island
Before the island belonged to the Arawak Indian people. They called it "Land of Women." They were a peaceful tribe who were mainly engaged in agriculture. The British were the first to find out where the island of St. Martin is located. On November 11, 1493, it was put on the world geographical map. To this day, this date is considered the main holiday on the island.
French colonists came here only in 1620. They actively began to cultivate tobacco cultivation. And in 1631, the Dutch founded their base on the island. The first governor was Jan Claeszon van Kampen, who began mining salt.
In 1633, Saint Martin came under the protectorate of the Spaniards, who held it for several decades, repelling attacks from the Dutch. They left it only in 1648, when it ceased to have strategic importance. According to the Treaty of Munster, it passed to the Netherlands. Ultimately, the French colonists also restored their settlements here.
Population and language
In total, the island is home to just under 75 thousand inhabitants. Only a quarter of the population is white.
St. Martin - the island of two masters. It did not receive this name by chance. Today, both the Dutch and the French live peacefully there in a small area, having a single spoken language - this is the Saint-Martin dialect of the East Caribbean. At the same time, on the side of the Netherlands, Dutch is considered official, and on the side of France, accordingly, French. In addition, English, Spanish and the Creole dialect Papiamento are extremely common.
Economy of the island
The main income source of the island's economy is tourism. The official currency is the euro, but American dollars are freely accepted everywhere, and most prices in shops and hotels are indicated in this currency, since the main flow of tourists arrives from the United States. You can easily pay with a credit card anywhere, and the standard of living on the island is the same (and even slightly higher) than in Western Europe.
The Dutch part of the island is a famous offshore. A large number of companies are registered in this territory, but business is conducted outside its borders and is exempt from taxes. Companies also benefit from the absolute absence of property taxes.
For those wishing to fly to the island of St. Martin, Princess Juliana Airport is available. It was named in honor of the Dutch princess, who came here a year after its opening, in 1944.
The airport is quite small. The length of the runway is only 2.3 kilometers. Therefore, only experienced and confident pilots fly here.
The landing on the island of St. Martin is considered one of the most difficult in the world. Not only is the length of the runway very short, but in addition it is also adjacent to the seashore. As a result, the passenger liner has to land literally over the heads of tourists relaxing on the largest local beach - Maho.
Beaches on the island
Maho is one of the largest beaches for which the island of St. Martin is famous. Its description always begins with how tourists feel when passenger airliners arriving on the island fly 15-20 meters above their heads.
Largely for this reason, Maho is extremely popular among spotters - people who are interested in watching airplanes. The beach itself is small, its length is about 300 meters and its width is several tens of meters. In one of the eateries, they always announce the approach of the next plane through the loudspeaker. Also everywhere along the beach there are boards with the schedule of the nearest flights written in chalk.
Due to the fact that Maho is regularly exposed to strong air currents from airliners, it is completely devoid of vegetation. Also because of this, there are almost always strong waves on the coast, which, in turn, attracts windsurfers. Being in the central part of the beach when an airliner is landing is very dangerous - it is fraught with injuries (deaths are possible), which local administration employees constantly warn tourists about. After all, the wind speed at this time reaches 160 kilometers per hour. However, many deliberately ignore these warnings, wanting to experience the thrill.
In 2008, the island of St. Martin was heavily damaged by a hurricane. France did a lot to minimize the damage. Hurricane Omar washed away all the sand from it and had to be imported again.
Island attractions
Also, tourists are attracted by the highest point of the island - Mount Paradise Peak. There are two observation platforms on it, each of which offers an unforgettable view of the Caribbean Sea and the island coast. To get to the island, they most often use a car, since the road is very steep and rocky. A bicycle or moped will not pass here.
The island is also popular among nudists. There are many beaches where clothing is optional. For example, on the Dutch side this is the Kupekoy beach, located at the very foot of the cliff. True, this is the only such place in the Netherlands; on any other beach you will definitely be fined.
On French territory, the favorite nudist beach is Papagayo. This is officially allowed here. On other beaches, those who want to sunbathe topless are most often treated tolerantly. Especially if it is a weekday and there are few visitors.
Football team
One of the most interesting and surprising facts is that the island has its own football team. True, she is not a member of FIFA, so she does not participate in qualifying matches for the World Cup. But he regularly plays in competitions held under the auspices of CONCACAF - the North and Central American Football Federation.
The last time the Saint Martin team tried to qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup was in 2012. To do this, it was necessary to perform successfully at the Caribbean Cup. However, in the group stage the team suffered three defeats - 0:7 from Haiti, 0:9 from Puerto Rico and 0:8 from Bermuda.
In general, the team is considered one of the weakest in CONCACAF. It has existed since 1994. At the moment, she has played 26 matches, 17 of which she lost. The guys managed to win in 6 meetings. The most successful year for the Saint Martin team was 2001, when it defeated the teams of Montserrat and Anguilla with a score of 3:1. These victories remain the largest in its history.
The biggest defeat to the Saint Martins was inflicted by the Jamaican team in 2004. The game ended with a score of 12:0.
Saint Martin Island is the world's smallest inhabited island, governed simultaneously by two independent governments. The northern part of the island is the French overseas community of Saint-Martin, and the southern part is a self-governing state with significant autonomy (status aparte) within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is called Sint Maarten. Area 83 km² (including the Dutch part of the island - 35 km², French - 48 km²). The highest point is Peak Paradise mountain (424 m) in the French part of the island.
The administrative center of the Dutch part of the island is the city of Philipsburg, and the French part is the city of Marigot.
Before the discovery of America by Europeans, the island belonged entirely to the Arawaks, who called it the Island of Salt (in honor of the main wealth of Saint-Martin) or the Land of Women. After the discovery of the island by Christopher Columbus in 1493, the Arawaks' possession was renamed Saint Martin, and November 11, the day the island was put on the world map, is considered its main public holiday. A century and a half later, the first settlements of the French and Dutch appeared here, who created a coalition when the Spaniards returned to Saint-Martin. The Spaniards were unable to take possession of the island, which was divided between France and the Netherlands according to the 1648 treaty. Today, this treaty is one of the oldest agreements still in force.
Population
The population of the island (French and Dutch parts together) is 32 thousand people. Whites make up 1/4 of the population. The name "St. Martin" was given to the island by the British; locals call it Narikel Jinjira, which means "Coconut Island".
The island of St. Martin has a dry temperate climate and, thanks to the trade winds, has sufficient humidity. Its topography is hilly and the highlands are covered with greenery and forests. It also has more than 30 white sand beaches belonging to French and Dutch territories. The surface of the island is mountainous and treeless; Mount Paradis reaches 420 m in height.
Economy
The basis of the economy is tourism.
The official currency on the Dutch side is the Dutch Antilles guilder, and on the French side, as in all other French overseas possessions, the euro. The American dollar is accepted everywhere, and most prices in shops on the island are quoted in this currency. The cost of living is similar or slightly higher than in Europe. Credit cards are accepted everywhere.
The southern, Dutch part of the island is an offshore zone. Companies registered in the Dutch part of the island and not doing business on the island are exempt from taxes. In addition, there is no tax on real estate and on income from its sale.
Princess Juliana Airport is located on this island. Landing there is considered one of the most difficult, because the end of the runway is adjacent to the seashore, and planes are forced to land literally over the heads of tourists relaxing on the beach, while the runway itself is only 2180 m.
The official language of the Dutch part of the island is Dutch. English and Spanish are spoken here, as well as the Papiamento dialect; On the French side, the official language is French, but the local population also speaks English and Creole.
Saint Martin is a small island in the Caribbean Sea, a scattering of small resort pearls of the Antilles archipelago. Turquoise lagoons here harmoniously combine with white sandy beaches, mangroves and water temperatures throughout the year - from +25 to +30 °C. Reviews from tourists will help you find out how easier it is to get there, where to stay and what to do on the island.
Saint Martin, Sint Maarten or
The eastern part of the Caribbean Sea is bordered by a chain of Lesser Antilles islands, stretching in an arc from Puerto Rico almost to the coast of Venezuela (South America). The island of Saint Martin is located 8 km south of the beginning of the ridge. France administers its northern territory. The south is an autonomous state entity, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. There are no state borders on this tiny piece of land; only a symbolic sign has been installed.
Residents speak French, Dutch, English and local dialects. The Creole population calls their home “Coconut Island”. The Dutch toponym - Sint Maarten - sounds like Saint Martin. Some Russian publications use the name “Fr. Saint Martin."
Tropical island in turquoise waters
“French Riviera of the Caribbean” is the unofficial name of Saint Martin, which is given for the high quality of beach holidays and ample opportunities for entertainment. Many stars, businessmen, politicians, artists, writers from all over the world have chosen the local resorts and the beach saturated with the gentle sun. Saint Martin in the Caribbean, thanks to its consistent tropical climate, is accessible at any time of the year. The average air temperature in winter is +26 °C, in summer - up to +32 °C.
The weather is the same on the French and Dutch sides of the island, because its area is only 87 km². The high season for an ideal holiday starts from mid-December and lasts until April. But it is during this period that it is difficult to book a hotel room unless you take care of it in advance. Some tourists avoid coming here in the summer from June to November, when it rains and the likelihood of hurricanes increases. The off-season means a little more rain than usual and a widespread price drop of 20-50%. At this time, air tickets, hotel accommodations, and services for tourists are cheaper. Not so crowded in cities and on the coast.
How to get to an island in the Caribbean
The busy and busy Princess Juliana International Airport in the south-west of the Netherlands receives flights from a variety of airlines around the world, mostly European and North American. Flights from Russia include a transfer in Paris or Amsterdam. Esperance Regional Airport is located in the French overseas community.
In July and August, air tickets become cheaper and hotel accommodation becomes more affordable. The only problem may be flight cancellations due to the fact that the planes are not full.
European tourists do not consider the summer months to be low season on the island of St. Maarten. There are more flights connecting Paris and the tropical airport in July and August than in January. During the off-season, many tourists from Italy arrive. Inexpensive air tickets to the island can be purchased for September and October. But these same months are the rainiest and windiest in this part of the Caribbean. On the Dutch side, prices are indicated in guilders and US dollars (1 guilder = 1.8 dollars). The official currency of the French territory is the euro, but American dollars are also accepted.
Accommodation on the island Saint Martin. Hotels in the French part
Finding accommodation on a resort island is not too difficult, but you should take into account the differences in the conditions of each of the territories. The Dutch part has large hotels and casinos, the French part is chosen by tourists who want to rent resort apartments, a studio, or a villa with a terrace, a private pier and a swimming pool. External design and interiors correspond to the level of the Mediterranean resorts of St. Tropez and Cannes. This side of the island also attracts with the beauty and glory of Orient Beach and exquisite French cuisine.
There are several comfortable hotels in the capital of the territory controlled by Paris - the city of Marigot. Price range depends on location and level of service. The most popular and expensive are beach hotels, for example, Plaza Beach. On the west coast, the five-star La Samanna Hotel is a self-contained resort with a private beach, fitness and spa facilities, tennis courts and a swimming pool. In addition, it offers kayaking, wakeboarding, water skiing, cruises around the island, and scuba diving.
Resorts and hotels on Dutch territory
The capital of the island of St. Maarten on the Dutch side, Philipsburg, attracts tourists from all over the world. The city has budget hotels and luxury hotels. One of the most popular resorts, Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino, is located fifteen minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the business center. Here you can sunbathe on the beach, practice water sports, play tennis, relax in the casino or simply enjoy a swim in the outdoor pool.
Another popular hotel in Philipsburg, the Holland House Beach Hotel is located on Little Bay Beach. close to the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean Sea. Underwater excursions and dives with a professional instructor, deep-sea fishing tours are organized.
Relaxation on the beaches
Tourists find the conditions in Saint Martin ideal for a relaxing, serene pastime. In total, there are more than 30 beaches within the island, making up the top of the list of attractions of local French and Dutch resorts. Here you can swim in the azure waters, sunbathe, ride a jet ski, and fly paragliding. There are bars and restaurants offering their visitors to taste European and Creole cuisine.
In the southwest of the Dutch territory there is Capekoy Beach, which is chosen by nudists. In the same part of the island of St. Maarten there is an airport, Mallet and Maho beaches, over which planes approaching to land fly.
On the north-eastern French coast is Orient Beach, one of the best beaches in this part of the Caribbean. Just a few minutes' walk to the south-east there are good facilities for families with small children.
Sports and entertainment
Many tourists are attracted not only by the beaches, but also by active recreation on the water and sports (scuba diving, yachting). Orient Beach is famous for being protected from the waves by reefs, which is favorable for the underwater world of the marine reserve and is very popular with snorkelers and divers. Other travelers are more pleased with the opportunity to go on a boat with a guide on the open sea and attend parties. Suitable months for windsurfing and kitesurfing are November-March, when waves appear on the beaches and bays. Other aspects of holidays at the resorts of the island of St. Maarten:
- sea cruises;
- walking excursions, on sailboats, boats, bicycles;
- study of fauna and flora in nature reserves;
- visiting historical places.
In early March, St. Maarten hosts an annual regatta, and in the summer there are hip-hop, reggae, rock and jazz festivals. A popular event from the beginning of April until May is the traditional carnival.
What to see on the island
The city of Philipsburg is named after the Dutch navigator John Philip, who made a lot of efforts to develop the island and develop the sugar industry. Architectural and cultural monuments of the colonial past have been preserved on the streets. The courthouse, located near the main square, was erected in 1793.
Over the years, 6 churches and a museum were built, revealing the historical and natural secrets of the island. There are very ancient exhibits that date back to the pre-Columbian era, when a small piece of land in the Caribbean was inhabited by Indians. Years of war between France and the Netherlands over ownership of the island of Saint Martin are reflected in finds from a fort built by the first settlers in 1631.
The capital of the French part of the island, the city of Marigot dates back to 1689. A settlement arose around the place where ships loaded with sugar, fruits and seafood were sent to Europe. Fort Saint-Louis, now the main historical landmark of the tropical island, was built here. Fans of antiquity will also enjoy the exhibition of the Museum of History and Culture, the oldest street of Marigot - Avenue of the Republic. Popular attractions about. Saint-Martin, which many have heard about, is the Pic du Paradis mountain, the butterfly farm, and the zoo. Ferries depart from the cities to neighboring Caribbean islands.
In an area of high seismic activity. It is a low, hilly area of land composed of volcanic rocks.
The coast of the island is an almost continuous strip of white sandy beaches. The coastline is very indented. In the western part of Saint Martin, a long and narrow spit has formed, separating the Simpson Bay lagoon, one of the largest inland bodies of water, from the sea. A significant part of the south of the island is occupied by the salt lake Great Salt Pond. The north of the island is covered with hills, and two low ridges - Sentry Hill and Williams Hill - descend to the gently sloping southern coast, also indented by numerous salt lagoons and narrow, deep bays.
Distinctive features of the island are the characteristic contours of the extinct volcano Mount Flagstaff (Flagstaff), 386 m high, and countless islets scattered along the coast of Saint Martin.
The island's landscape is very deceptive: it appears green, but is actually sparse in vegetation. Only in the hilly central regions are remnants of forests preserved; the main type of flora here is low-growing shrubs. The vegetation is mainly represented by palm trees, hibiscus and cacti. The fauna is also not rich: common species of tropical birds, several species of lizards and feral goats and pigs.
There are no rivers on the island, but there are many dry hollows without signs of moisture.
Before the arrival of Europeans, the island was inhabited by Indians of a rather mysterious Sibonean tribe, close to the Arawaks, whose origin has not been precisely established. Indian fishermen and farmers settled here about 3.5 thousand years ago. They called their land Sualiga (Island of Salt) and the Land of Women. In the south of the island there are many salty reservoirs, salt was and remains the main natural wealth of the island, and matriarchy is a fairly common phenomenon in the Antilles.
The peaceful life of the Sibones was destroyed by the Carib Indians, a warlike tribe that exterminated the men and enslaved the women.
The island was discovered to Europeans by Christopher Columbus in 1493, during his second voyage to the West Indies, and named Saint Martin. It was put on the map on November 11, and this day is considered the main public holiday of the islanders today. Having proclaimed the island as Spanish territory, Columbus himself never landed on shore. And subsequently, the Spaniards did not consider it necessary to engage in the development of tiny and poor Saint Martin.
But the French and Dutch became interested in the island. The Dutch needed it as a convenient place to anchor ships halfway from their colonies of New Amsterdam (present-day New York, USA) and Brazil. As for the French, they sought to colonize all the Antilles in a row.
In 1631, the Dutch settled in the south of the island, built Fort Amsterdam and began mining salt. The French occupied the northern part of the island. After several attempts to recapture Saint Martin, the Spaniards abandoned it forever. The French and Dutch decided not to fight over this piece of land in the ocean and in 1648 signed the Treaty of Concord, dividing the island among themselves.
In the 18th century The island turned into a sugar cane plantation, which was cultivated by slaves brought from Africa. Slavery was abolished in the mid-19th century.
For a long time, the island had the status of a “free port”, since it had no other income. Only in the second half of the 20th century. Tourism began to develop rapidly here.
There was never a movement for complete independence on the island, which is why its northern part remained an overseas community of France, Saint-Martin, and the southern part a self-governing state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sint Maarten.
If Saint-Martin is part of the territory of France, then the status of Sint-Martin gives it complete independence in internal affairs. The Dutch government is responsible only for defense and foreign policy. The head of the Dutch part of the island is the Queen of the Netherlands, and the French part is the President of France.
The main industry of the island's economy is tourism, which is facilitated by a relatively favorable climate and convenient geographical location. The transformation of the military airport in St. Maarten into a civilian international airport played a decisive role in the development of this sector. Huge Panamax cruise ships (capable of passing through the Panama Canal) can also anchor in the island's harbors. The Simpson Bay lagoon, which is very popular among yachtsmen, generates a lot of income. The water area of the lagoon is divided in half between the French and Dutch administrations of the island. The tourism industry employs 85% of the working population. Only one percent of the population works in agriculture and fishing, and the island is entirely dependent on food imports. There are almost no sources of fresh water on the island, and it has to be obtained by desalinating sea water.
During the years of slavery (XVIII-XIX centuries), the number of African slaves on the island exceeded the number of Europeans, which played a decisive role in the decision to abolish slavery. Descendants of black slaves make up the vast majority of the island's population.
The culture of Saint Martin is a vibrant mixture of African, Creole and European traditions of peoples from 70 countries. Despite the nominal division of the island, both halves of Saint-Martin celebrate common holidays, sing a common national anthem, and in November celebrate Concordia Day, the date of the peaceful division of the island.
The capital of the French part of Saint-Martin is a former village, and now the city of Marigot. The main attractions of Marigot are art galleries, historical museums, and artisan workshops. The main and most beautiful street is Marigot Avenue Republic, along which buildings in the traditional Creole style are lined. Evidence of the significant French presence in the Antilles is the great Fort Saint-Louis (1767). Even the fishing village of Orleans, the very first French settlement on the island, has been preserved.
The administrative center of the Dutch part of the island is Philipsburg. It stands on a spit of sand separating Salt Pond from Great Bay, and consists of two streets - Voorstraat (Front Street) and Achterstraat (Back Street). The city differs from other cities in the Antilles in that classical examples of early colonial architecture remain intact here. Even far from their homeland, European settlers built houses like those in Holland: with steep tiled roofs, red and white facades and tiny square windows. The city has preserved two old, fairly destroyed fortresses: Fort Willem and Fort Amsterdam.