St Martin Island - Make Sure It's On Your Short List
The history of the Caribbean is a turbulent one with different nations in dispute over territory. The unusual political
situation of St Martin Island primarily involves the French and the Dutch. This tropical, tourist destination is under the rule of France in the
north and under the Netherlands in the south. The island is divided approximately in half which both countries agreed to back in 1648.
The early economy was dominated by the French development of sugar plantations in the 18th century, which were worked by slaves. Today, the
island is reliant on tourism and sometimes at the mercy of tropical storms.
Cultural life on the island has many influences in addition to the French and Dutch legacy. The local Creole population
and the African descendents also play a major role in life on St Martin Island, and the main languages are French, Dutch, English
and Spanish. Soca, calypso, reggae and other Caribbean forms of music are also popular on the island.
The major airport is the Princess Juliana International Airport, famous for its somewhat awkward short runway.
International airlines run daily scheduled flights to St Martin Island and hired cars are the most popular method of moving around for
visitors. Accommodation is plentiful and ranges from five star hotels to villas and timeshares. Dining is versatile in terms of cost and ranges
from gourmet to inexpensive outlets. The cuisine is a mix of Creole and French on the predominantly French side of the island.
The Dutch sector is called Sint Maarten and is best known for its beaches
and nightlife, which includes an abundance of casinos. On the other side of St Martin Island, the French part is called Saint-Martin and its most
famous features are nude beaches, jewelry making and clothes shops. It is also noted for its rum based cocktails.
The largest town in the French half of the island is Marigot and is worth a visit to see the fine colonial buildings and to
taste the French style cooking, and check out its renowned designer label boutiques. On the Dutch side, the largest town is Philipsburg, which is
known for its great shopping, restaurants and casinos.
There are scenic islands nearby too, such as the French owned Saint - Barthelemy. This island is known for its pristine
beaches and it attracts water sports enthusiasts from all over the globe. There is the opportunity to see whales and dolphins and there are
several beachfront bungalows and villas to stay in. Saba, owned by the Dutch is another tourist island close to St Martin Island, and is
particularly well known for its diving facilities, coral reef and excellent marine life.
When you decide to take your honeymoon or vacation in the Bahamas you have a lot of choices. You'll want
to make sure that St Martin Island is on your short list.
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St Martin Island
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