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Sint Maarten Pages by BROOKS


"The Friendly Island-Sint Ma ..." a Sint Maarten Travel Page by BROOKS
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BROOKS   
There is a lot of love in this world if you want it...


Real Name: Brooks
Lives In: Illinois, US
Member Since: 1998
VT Rank: 9362

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Page Views: 4,712            Last Visit to Sint Maarten: April, 2000      

The Friendly Island-Sint Maarten/Martin

by BROOKS - last update: Sep 11, 2002

St. Maarten and St. Martin are on the same 37 square mile (96 sq. km) Caribbean island in the Leeward Isles. Sint Maarten, a third of the island, is Dutch and its capital is Philipsburg. Saint Martin is French, its capital is Marigot. The two have coexisted for 300 years and there are no customs formalities. The island is mostly low, rolling hills. The tropical average temperature varies only 5 degrees F (3 C) in a year.

By official count there are 36 beaches on the island and they bring most tourists. All sorts of water sports are available but the diving and snorkelling are exceptional. Duty-free shopping is another important draw. Sightseeing in Marigot, Philipsburg and the quaint villages is worthwhile and there are several casinos on the Dutch side. There are many restaurants and there is considerable nightlife. Carnival is an important celebration.

The main business is tourism. Columbus named the island in 1493 but the first Europeans settled there in the 1630s when it was a pirate haven. Legend says a walking contest between a Frenchman and a Dutchman established today's boundary. The culture is typically West Indian, African and East Indian influences are as strong as European ones. Dutch, French, English, Spanish and Papiamento are all spoken there.

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BROOKS's Sint Maarten Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 4 - Photos: 3
 
Restaurants
Tips: 1
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Nightlife
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Off The Beaten Path
 
Tourist Traps
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Warnings Or Dangers
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Transportation
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Local Customs
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Packing ListsShopping
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 4 - Photos: 4

BROOKS's Sint Maarten Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Shopping in Philipsburg, St Maarten- 2
BROOKS's New Travelogue on Netherlands Antilles2000 1
History2000 1
Collin- 3
BROOKS- 2

Comments for BROOKS about Sint Maarten
Stephen-KarenConn Mon Nov 12, 2007 13:24 UTC
 I enjoyed my virtual visit to Sint Maarten/St. Martin with you. I've been privileged to be their twice. I hope I've helped boost your ratings a bit. Nice job.
ahimsa.david Wed Nov 7, 2007 13:08 UTC
 if this was updated in September, 2007, what is all this about Francs and Guilders??? SXM has had Euros for a long time now!!
SLLiew Wed Nov 7, 2007 05:14 UTC
 Enjoying reading both the French and Dutch side of the island. Interesting Caribbean island to have dual national influence.
ATLC Tue Sep 25, 2007 02:52 UTC
 Colourful page, very nice! You might want to update your Tourist Trap tip. Francs replaced by Euro :-)
See More Comments

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