St. Maarten is the smallest territory in the world shared by two sovereign governments-Dutch and French. The Dutch side occupies the southern 16 square miles of this 37-square-mile island; St. Martin, a French overseas territory and part of the European Union, occupies the northern remainder of the island. Both sides have maintained a mostly peaceful coexistence for over 350 years, the longest of any two bordering nations. Being part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands , Dutch St. Maarten has been both politically and economically stable. The territory is not only a safe and pleasant place to do business, but also to establish roots and raise a family. The total population has grown from 13,156 in 1980 to nearly 39,000 in the year 2000. It is estimated that the population of St. Maarten consists of some 80 different nationalities. The native languages are English and Dutch and French of course on the French side.

The history of the Caribbean is filled with stories of colonial imperialism where islands changed hands oftentimes. St. Maarten though not particularly desirable as a settlement still had its share of skirmishes and smoky gun battles. The old stone forts which guard many of the islands inlets is proof of the island's turbulent past.

The island's history shows traces of Stone Age people, dating back to 4,000 BC. Around 800 AD the island, as many of its neighbors, became home to the Arawak Indians who arrived from South America. They were annihilated in the 14th century by the cannibalistic Carib Indians, who gave the region its name, and knew St. Maarten as Soualiga, or "Salt Island"

According to legend, Christopher Columbus sighted Soualiga on the 11th of November in the year 1493, the holy day of St. Martin of Tours, and he named the island after him - hence the name St. Maarten. The 11th of November is celebrated to this day, as St. Martin/St. Maarten's Day. Around the year 1630 the Dutch and French established small settlements on the island but the Spanish must have not taken to well to this settlement - they saw it as a threat to their influence in the region and attacked the island - driving out both the Dutch and French settlements. The Dutch and French later joined forces to repel the Spanish, and finally achieved this around 1644 when the Spanish abandoned their claims to the Eastern Caribbean altogether. After driving out the Spanish, the Dutch and French signed an accord (in 1648) and agreed to divide the island.

Time
St. Maarten is on Atlantic Standard Time year-round. During daylight savings time in the U.S. , time is the same on the Eastern Seaboard as it is on the island and 6 hours behind Western Europe. 

Electricity
Most hotels in St. Maarten are wired as in the U.S. : 110 volts, 60 cycles. On the French side, everything runs on 220 volts, 50 cycles, so a converter and adaptor plugs are needed for travel appliances.

Radio and Television
Most hotels on both sides of the island have radio and television broadcasts in English - There are several Cable TV operators with over 50 channels - all major US networks and some European channels are available. Most hotels have their own video entertainment and direct TV systems. Satellite television reception is also available for private homes. Including DirecTV, DISH Networks.

Newspapers
In addition to several local newspapers, visitors can pick up one or more of the publications directed toward them. These include St. Maarten Nature Magazine, St. Maarten Events, Discover St. Maarten, St. Maarten Nights, Ti Gourmet and Vacation St. Maarten.

Telephone
When dialing the Dutch side from the U.S. , dial the international access code 011, the country code 599 and the local number.  Landlines start with 54, followed by a 5-digit number.  Cell phones either start with 55, 52 or 58, followed by a 5-digit number.
The country code for the French side is 590.  Landline numbers are composed as follows : +590-590-xx.xx.xx.  French side cell numbers : +590-690-xx.xx.xx.

Pet Regulations
Animals are admitted temporarily to the island with the following papers: a health certificate dated no more than 10 days before visit and a record of inoculations, including a rabies shot administered no more than 30 days prior to the visit.

Marriage
A 127-year-old residency law has been changed allowing non-residents to marry on St. Maarten.

Medical Facilities
St. Maarten Medical Center in Cay Hill and L'hopital St. Martin in Concordia offer medical services. Airlift is available to Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe and the continental U.S. in case of an extreme medical emergency.

Location/Size
The island is in the Caribbean Sea , 18.02 latitude and 63.07 longitude, 150 miles east southeast of Puerto Rico. Capitals - Philipsburg on Great Bay is the capital of St. Maarten. Marigot is the capital of Saint Martin .

 

Languages
English is spoken everywhere, but Dutch is the official language of St.Maarten, and French the official language of Saint Martin . All over the island, you can also hear Spanish, Papiamentu, Italian, Hindi, Chinese, and many other languages. On the French side, Creole Patois is also spoken

Population
41,000 people live on St.Maarten and 36,000 on Saint Martin according to the Census Office .

Airlines
Regular Air service from the U.S. to Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten is provided by: American Airlines, Continental, Northwest, USAir. In addition, numerous charter flights are available. Other airlines serving the island include: Excel Air from Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire; LIAT, Caribbean Star, Caribbean Sun,  Air Caraibe,  Air France, Corsair, KLM and local airline Windward Islands Airways (WINAIR)

Entry Requirements
U.S . citizens need a valid passport or birth certificate with raised seal
and photo identification and a return/continuing ticket. Naturalized citizens must show an original naturalization certificate with photo identification. Green Card holders must have a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket.

Canadian citizens need a valid passport and a return/continuing ticket. "Landing permit" with valid passport and return/continuing ticket.

European Community: Valid passport and a return/continuing ticket

Customs
St. Maarten is the only completely duty-free port in the Caribbean . No vaccination certificates are required unless arriving from an area experiencing an epidemic. However because of security issues and trade in illegal drugs, all luggage will be scanned prior to coming out of the airport.

Airport Departure Tax
For International destinations, there is a tax of US$30.00 for those age 2 and up. For islands within the Netherlands Antilles, the departure tax is US$10.00. And don't forget Credit Cards are not accepted.

Accommodations
Island accommodations range from large, comprehensive resort facilities and condominiums to small, intimate guest houses, timeshares and apartments. With over 4,000 guest rooms on the island, there is a property to suit every taste.

Dining
St.Maarten expresses its culinary soul not by creating a single cuisine, but by giving voice to cooking styles from the far-flung corners of the globe. Food afficionados can select from more than 300 restaurants offering French, Dutch, Caribbean , Italian, Chinese, Indonesian, Creole, Indian, American, Middle Eastern cuisines and many more.

Casinos
The island's 12 casinos are all on the Dutch side and offer gaming in the European style.