| Page Views: 5,741 Last Visit to Sint Maarten: April, 2003 | St. Maarten of the Dutch Antilles Islands by starship - last update: Oct 27, 2006 |
ONE ISLAND BUT TWO COUNTRIES Living peacefully side-by-side on the same island are the separate countries of Sint Maarten, which is Dutch, and Saint Martin, which is French. |
A Brief History of the Island The island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin was originally settled by the Arawak Indians who migrated north from the Orinoco River basin of South America. The Arawaks gave the island the name of "Sualouiga" or "Land of Salt" because of the salt-pans and brackish water which are found in abundance here. Later the Caribs, a more agressive Indian tribe from North America supplanted the Arawaks.
Though never having set foot upon the island, Christopher Columbus claimed the land for Spain on November 11, 1493, on the feast of St. Martin thus came the name currently used. Though not an object of the Spanish Crown's attention for many years, when the Dutch occupied the island and began mining salt and built Fort Amsterdam, Spain's possessiveness was aroused and the Dutch were expelled in 1633 and removed to Curacao. After the 80 Years War between Spain and the Netherlands, Spain once again abandoned the island and was soon claimed by both the Dutch and French. In 1648 a treaty divided the island between the Dutch and French and there after a mostly peaceful coexistance flourished. The Dutch St. Maarten became an important trading center for cotton, salt and tobacco followed by many lean years. It became a duty-free port in 1939, followed by the opening of Queen Juliana Airport in 1943.
Source: www.interknowledge.com/st-maarten |
|  | Tourism to the Rescue The island of St. Maarten is a popular port of call for cruise ships in the Eastern Caribbean. Several ships may be in port on any given day making Front Street and close cross streets more of a pedistrian street mall than a place for cars. St. Maarten's economy is based largely on tourism and international trading.
Many nice resorts are located away from the downtown tourist area, but there is a decent beach literally within steps of downtown! Day trips or excursion tours of the French St. Martin are also a popular pastime for tourists of all kinds. |
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| Pros: | "Sun, Surf, Shopping" | | Cons: | "Wish there was more to see and do!" | | In A Nutshell: | "Only good for a short visit if you're not staying at a resort." |
starship's Sint Maarten Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3 | | | Restaurants
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3 | Hotels & Accommodations | | | Nightlife
Tips: 1 | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | | Transportation | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3 | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1 |
 Comments for starship about Sint Maarten | | | | |
starship Mon Jun 15, 2009 03:40 UTC
Hi Lynne, thanks for visiting my St. Maartin page. Yes some interesting shopping there for island clothing. I'd like to try one of their lovely resorts there sometime for a stay-put vacation. | lynnehamman Mon Jun 15, 2009 00:36 UTC
This sounds like quite a fun place, Sylvia. I would just love those markets. The beaches look good too. Nice photos | DennyP Fri Feb 13, 2009 04:44 UTC
hi Sylvia...another great page with good informative tips and pics...certainly a destination to add to the must see list... | volopolo Wed Jun 4, 2008 20:52 UTC
Lovely page! Great info! |
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