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The Island
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Hundreds of islands form the Caribbean, but none are quite so enigmatic as St Martin. The island is one of the smallest to ever be divided, with residents of both the French and Dutch sides working together in mutual friendship and respect.
Of course, the island had human inhabitants long before the European colonisers arrived in 1493. Ancient relics date the island's first settlers, probably Ciboney Indians (Arawaks), back to 3,500 years ago. The locals were joined by migrants from South America's Orinoco basin around 800 A.D. Because of St Martin's salt pans, they called the island "Soualiga," or "Land of Salt". Mainly a farming and fishing society, the locals lived in villages of straw-roofed buildings which were strong enough to resist hurricanes. They were a tranquil people, who valued artistic and spiritual pursuits.
Their lives were turned upside-down, however, with the arrival of the Carib Indians. A warrior nation, the Caribs killed the Arawak men and enslaved the women. When Europeans began to explore the Caribbean, Carib society had almost completely displaced the Arawaks.
In the era of the European colonisation, St Martin was a coveted piece of land. The French wanted to have an island between Trinidad and Bermuda, while the Dutch found San Martín a convenient halfway point between their colonies in New Amsterdam (present day New York) and Brazil. The Spanish captured the island during the Eighty Years' War only to abandon it in 1648, allowing its former colonial masters to reestablish their control.
Today, the island is divided roughly 60:40 between the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the Dutch part being more populated than the French part. The division dates to 1648.
Culturally, Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten are quite different. Saint-Martin has some of the most chic fashion shops and restaurants in the Caribbean and beaches elegant enough to rival those in Cannes and Saint-Tropez, while Sint Maarten shares the serious pragmatism of its fellow continental countrymen.
For the visitor, this means there’s lots to do. Dine out on French à la carte cuisine and wines one day and sample fresh pastries inspired by the finest Dutch chefs the next. Enjoy activities like horseback riding and water sports and exploring breathtaking beaches and scenery are other options to fill your day.
Of course, the island had human inhabitants long before the European colonisers arrived in 1493. Ancient relics date the island's first settlers, probably Ciboney Indians (Arawaks), back to 3,500 years ago. The locals were joined by migrants from South America's Orinoco basin around 800 A.D. Because of St Martin's salt pans, they called the island "Soualiga," or "Land of Salt". Mainly a farming and fishing society, the locals lived in villages of straw-roofed buildings which were strong enough to resist hurricanes. They were a tranquil people, who valued artistic and spiritual pursuits.
Their lives were turned upside-down, however, with the arrival of the Carib Indians. A warrior nation, the Caribs killed the Arawak men and enslaved the women. When Europeans began to explore the Caribbean, Carib society had almost completely displaced the Arawaks.
In the era of the European colonisation, St Martin was a coveted piece of land. The French wanted to have an island between Trinidad and Bermuda, while the Dutch found San Martín a convenient halfway point between their colonies in New Amsterdam (present day New York) and Brazil. The Spanish captured the island during the Eighty Years' War only to abandon it in 1648, allowing its former colonial masters to reestablish their control.
Today, the island is divided roughly 60:40 between the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the Dutch part being more populated than the French part. The division dates to 1648.
Culturally, Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten are quite different. Saint-Martin has some of the most chic fashion shops and restaurants in the Caribbean and beaches elegant enough to rival those in Cannes and Saint-Tropez, while Sint Maarten shares the serious pragmatism of its fellow continental countrymen.
For the visitor, this means there’s lots to do. Dine out on French à la carte cuisine and wines one day and sample fresh pastries inspired by the finest Dutch chefs the next. Enjoy activities like horseback riding and water sports and exploring breathtaking beaches and scenery are other options to fill your day.