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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