Welcome to St Maarten
 
• Where do you find a tropical paradise with pristine turquoise waters and sunny clear skies, as diverse as any cosmopolitan city yet as welcoming and familiar as your hometown. Where laid back island energy transforms into vibrant rhythms and finger-licking dining, and where European Culture blends so effortlessly with Caribbean Flair.
 
• St. Maarten – St. Martin, known as the smallest landmass to be divided by two nations, and home of the “Friendly People”, invites you to come experience the true magic of the island.
 
• Sint Maarten, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is a country on the southern part of a Caribbean island shared with Saint Martin, a French overseas collectivity. Its natural features span lagoons, beaches and salt pans. The capital, Philipsburg, has cobblestone streets and colorful, colonial-style buildings lining its Front Street shopping area.
 
• Make your trip to St. Maarten unforgettable by taking part in the countless events happening on the Island. Whether it’s the sailing adventures of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, or the vibrant colors and endless cuisine options of the annual Music & Food Festival, Carnival.
 
• Legend has it that over 350 years ago, the Dutch and the French wished to draw a border on the island in a civilized manner. It was decided that a race should be held to determine how much land each nation could claim.
 
• The French competitor had to follow the coastline to the North, the Dutchman had to walk South. Once they circumnavigated the island and met again, a line would be drawn between the starting point and the meeting point to define the border.
 
• Both men choose beverages according to their culture: the Frenchmen a bottle of Red Wine, the Dutch a bottle of Genever (Dutch Gin). Obviously, quenching one's thirst with Gin will have a more significant negative impact on one's athletic performance than sipping some wine. The Dutch soldier discovered this when he met his more sober French competitor again: His gin induced slow-down cost the Dutch quite some territory. French St. Martin covers now two thirds of the 37 square mile island.
 
• No matter what the legend, the 'Treaty of Concordia' is a reality and the oldest, still enforced international treaty