Sint martin island caribbean airport. That guy with the bear head

The island of Saint Martin is divided into two parts, Dutch and French, by the way, it is the smallest inhabited island in the world, managed by two independent governments. The northern part of the island is the French overseas community of Saint Martin, and the southern part is a self-governing state within the Netherlands and is called Sint Maarten. The island is divided between France and the Netherlands approximately in the ratio of 60/40, the French own an area of ​​​​53 square kilometers, the Dutch are 34, but both parts of the island are approximately equal in population.

History of Saint Martin

It is believed that the Arawak Indians came here in 800 BC from South America, later the Kalinago tribe came here and gave the island the name Soualiga or the Land of Salt. Christopher Columbus dug up the island on November 11, 1493 and named it Isla de San Martin. In 1624, the French settled here, the economy rested on the cultivation of tobacco. In 1631 Dutch colonists arrived here. The further history of the island is an endless transfer of power from the French to the Dutch and the British, and so on ad infinitum. In 1816, the zones of influence of the Netherlands and France were restored, there was no place for Great Britain.

Population of Saint Martin

The last census showed that the island has 77,741 inhabitants, of which 40,917 live on the Dutch side and 36,824 on the French side.

Geography of Saint Martin

The Dutch side of the island is more populated, with Philipsburg being the largest city on the Dutch side and Marigot on the French side. The highest point of the island is Pic Paradis, 424 meters high, located on the side of France, however, both sides are hilly with mountain peaks, which surround the valley, in which the entire population is located. There are no rivers on the island, the problem with drinking water solved with the help of special roofs of houses that collect rainwater. Saint Martin lies south of Anguilla and is separated by a canal.

Weather and climate in Saint Martin

The climate of Saint-Martin is trade wind, with a dry season from January to April and a rainy season from August to December. Temperatures remain stable throughout the year, around 34 degrees Celsius during the day. The temperature of coastal waters is also a constant 27 degrees all year round.

Strong hurricanes almost completely destroyed the island in 1960, 1995, 1999. In 2003, the French part of the island seceded from Guadeloupe to form a separate overseas community of France. October 10, 2010 - The Netherlands Antilles cease to exist, Saint Martin becomes one of the four constituent countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Beaches on Saint Martin

There are only 30 sandy beaches on Saint Martin, they are evenly distributed throughout France and the Netherlands. Many beaches suffer from sea grass that is washed ashore. The danger of a storm exists in late summer, early autumn. From the banks of Saint Martin to good weather the neighboring islands of St. Barthelemy (France), Anguilla (Great Britain), Saba and St. Eustatius, St. Kitts are clearly visible, but Nevis is no longer visible.

Economy of Saint Martin

The GDP per capita in Saint Maarten today is about US$15,400. Today, the island's economy is based on tourism, with one million foreign tourists visiting Saint Martin every year. The tourism sector employs 85% of the population.

Culture, holidays and entertainment in Saint Martin

The Dutch side of the island is attractive for lovers of nightlife, casinos, parties, rum is made here, there are many jewelry shops. The French side is famous for its nudist beaches, clothing boutiques, and numerous markets. Most interesting restaurants are also located on the French side and offer Creole cuisine in addition to their traditional French cuisine.

Saint Martin language

As you understand, French is the official language in the French part, and Dutch in the Dutch part. In addition, on both sides of the island locals speak Creole English language, Spanish and English are also common in the Dutch part.

Currency Saint Martin

On French territory official currency is the euro, and the Dutch Antillean guilder. Foreign tourists travel to St. Maarten calmly with American dollars, prices on both sides of the island are duplicated by American dollars, which they accept with pleasure.

Banking and currency exchange Saint Martin

Here it is necessary to take into account the side in which the tourist will spend more time and spend money, it is better to go to the Dutch part of the island with American dollars, to the French part with euros, the same applies to the currency of credit cards, which are accepted everywhere. Remember that you can get cash dollars at ATMs installed in large banks and in major cities. Traveler's checks are best taken in US dollars.

VAT and tax-free Saint Martin

The offshore zone is the Dutch part of the island, in the price of goods and products there is a sales tax of 3%, so from the point of view of shopping, the Dutch part of the island of St. Martin is more profitable.

Shopping, shopping and shops Saint Martin

Stores are open as usual. The French side boasts an abundance shopping centers and boutiques with clothes, however, in terms of taxes, the Dutch side is more profitable, but shopping there is more modest.

Visas for Saint Maarten

Citizens of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan will need a visa to travel to Sint Maarten for a vacation. At your choice, you can draw it up at the consulate of France or the Netherlands, as such, there is no border on the island, only on the road crossing the border you can see a sign saying that you are entering the French or Dutch side.

Naturally happy holders of multiple Schengen visas can safely enter the island. It is also possible to issue single visa for the Caribbean and Aruba, including visiting St. Eustatius, Saba, Bonaire, Curaçao, the Dutch part of the island of St. Maarten. The visa will indicate the main island of stay, tourists who want to visit several islands will receive a mark in their passport with the island where they are supposed to spend more time. It must be remembered that a Caribbean visa does not give the right to visit the European Union or the Netherlands. With short-term visas of Schengen countries, they are not allowed into the Caribbean.

Documents for a short stay visitor visa for the Caribbean and Aruba

To obtain a visa for Saint Martin, tourists submit a standard package of documents, as well as for a Schengen visa. You must provide a passport that will be valid for another 3 months after returning home. The questionnaire can be filled out in English, Dutch and French, French is assumed if the documents are submitted to the French consulate. One photograph 3.5x4.5 cm is pasted into the questionnaire, the other is attached. A photocopy of the pages with personal data in the passport and internal is submitted. Making a hotel reservation and e-tickets by plane, the exact dates must be indicated on the tickets, this applies to flights and hotel stays.

A certificate from the place of work with the specified salary is submitted. A bank statement is suitable as proof of financial solvency. Remember that a trip to St. Maarten is very expensive and consular staff may be more strict in this regard with tourists than in a similar trip in Europe.

Students and schoolchildren submit a student and school ID, permission from educational institution for missing classes if the trip takes place during school hours.

Pensioners show their pension certificate, bank statement. The unemployed, housewives, students and retirees can submit a letter of guarantee from a sponsor with his/her certificates of employment, bank statement and a copy internal passport. Traveling with minors will add to the hassle. A notarized permission is required for the child to travel abroad from the parent or parents who stayed at home.

Each traveler requires a medical insurance policy covering at least 30,000 euros.

Transit visa

There is no need to obtain a transit visa if the transfer to the next flight takes place within one day, while the tourist can even leave the airport, but not the island itself.

Formalities and rules of entry to Sint Maarten

Customs rules Saint Martin

Cash amounts over the equivalent of $7,000 must be declared. Citizens who have reached the age of 15 can carry alcoholic beverages or cigarettes, the norms for travelers from Russia or Ukraine are the same as in the European Union, for example, you can carry 200 cigarettes and 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages or 2.25 liters of wine without duty, or 3 liters of beer. It is not recommended to bring a lot of expensive gifts and things with you, there will be no problems with transporting a personal camera and a computer.

At the airport on the way back, you will have to pay 7 US dollars if the next travel destination is the Netherlands, including in the region Caribbean, in any other case 22 dollars, exceptions for children not occupying a separate seat on the plane and transit passengers.

People's lives on Saint Martin

Saint Martin is one of the most civilized and democratic islands in the Caribbean region, there are many white Europeans, a high standard of living, there is no poverty and destitution and the troubles associated with this moment. European culture and moral values ​​reign everywhere. The standard of living of local residents is high, prices are often even higher than in Europe. The rules of behavior on the beach are more free, European.

Standard of living in Saint Martin, people's lives

Saint Martin has a higher standard of living than in Europe, at least in terms of prices, which bite almost the same as in Saint Barthélemy. Dutch side in last years turned into an offshore zone, any legal entities Those who do not conduct business activities on the island are exempt from taxes, including on real estate and profits from its sale.

On Saint Martin, unlike other Caribbean islands, it has huge airport, to which you can fly from Europe or North America. Rich people from all over the world not only fly here, but also sail on their yachts or on a round-the-world cruise.

The French and Dutch parts of the island are strongly denounced, for example, on the French part, shops also widely stock cheeses or wines, as in France itself. The capital of the French part of the island, the city of Marigot, is a little shabby colonial architecture. Slightly dilapidated dwellings contrast sharply with futuristic yachts on the seashore.

Transport in Saint Martin

The island has one of the most dangerous airports world - Princess Juliana Airport. Airplanes fly over the heads of vacationers on Maho Beach, the road leading from the airport constantly suffers from traffic jams. The only mode of transport is a taxi or car rental.

The island of St. Martin, also known as the island of Saint Martin, is located in Surprisingly, two states are located on this small piece of land - France and the Netherlands. Moreover, this is the smallest inhabited island in the world. All these incredible facts thousands of tourists are attracted here every year, since the weather contributes quality rest- warm sea, clean beaches and the sun, which shines almost all year round.

Island location

Saint Martin's Island is located in the northern ridge of the Eastern Caribbean. Part of the Small archipelago

The northern part of the coast of the island is occupied by the French overseas community, and the southern part is considered a self-governing autonomy, but it is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Dutch part of the island is called Sint Martin.

Each part has its own capital. The French is called Marigot, and the Dutch is Philipsburg.

A remarkable fact is that the island received its name from the British. The primordial local natives always called him Narikel Jinjira, which in literal translation means It really paradise, therefore, it is not in vain that many tourists from all over the world are interested in where the island of St. Martin is located.

Geography

The area of ​​the smallest inhabited island on the planet is only 87 square kilometers. Most of them belong to the French side - about 53 square kilometers, the remaining 34 - under the jurisdiction of the Dutch.

The island of St. Martin is distinguished by a hilly relief. There are many mountains and hills here. highest point- Mount Peak Paradise. Its height is 424 meters above sea level. It is located in the French part of the island. Climbing the mountains is convenient and pleasant, most of the hills are covered with forests and greenery.

Climate

The island has a pronounced marine tropical climate. The rainy season here begins in April and lasts until about November. Rains are heavy, but most often short-lived.

Saint Martin is subject to trade winds at this time of the year, which neutralize the high humidity. Therefore, even in these months it is comfortable to rest here. The heat is not so strong due to the wind.

In the winter months, the temperature drops to 27-29 degrees above zero during the day and 20-22 degrees at night. Humid climate in winter is almost not felt. For tourists on the island there are about 30 beaches, almost all of them have white sand, which makes the rest unforgettable. Tourist places are located on both Dutch and French territory.

History of the island

Before the island belonged to the Arawak Indian people. They called it "Land of Women". It was a peaceful tribe that was mainly engaged in agriculture. The first to know where the island of St. Martin is, the British. On November 11, 1493, it was put on the world map. Until today, this date is considered the main holiday on the island.

French colonists came here only in 1620. They actively began to cultivate the cultivation of tobacco. And in 1631, the Dutch founded their base on the island. The first governor was Jan Claeszon van Kampen, who began to extract salt.

In 1633, Saint-Martin came under the protectorate of the Spaniards, who held it for several decades, repulsing the attacks of the Dutch. They left him only in 1648, when he stopped having strategic importance. Under the Treaty of Munster, he passed to the Netherlands. Ultimately, the French colonists also restored their settlements here.

Population and language

In total, a little less than 75 thousand inhabitants live on the island. Only a quarter of the population is white.

Saint Martin - the island of two masters. It received this name not by chance. Today, both the Dutch and the French peacefully coexist there in a small area, having a single colloquial- this is a Saint-Martin dialect of East Caribbean. At the same time, on the side of the Netherlands, Dutch is considered official, and on the side of France, respectively, French. In addition, English, Spanish and Papiamento Creole are extremely common.

Economy of the island

The main income item of the island's economy is tourism. The official currency is the euro, but American dollars are freely accepted everywhere, and most prices in shops and hotels are indicated in this currency, since the main flow of tourists still arrives from the United States. You can freely pay with a credit card anywhere, and the standard of living on the island is the same (and even slightly higher) than in Western Europe.

The Dutch part of the island is a well-known offshore. A large number of companies are registered in this territory, but business is carried out outside of it and are exempt from taxes. Companies also benefit from the absolute absence of property taxes.

At the service of those wishing to fly to the island of St. Martin - Princess Juliana Airport. It is named after the Dutch princess, who came here a year after its opening, in 1944.

The airport is quite small. Length runway is only 2.3 kilometers. Therefore, only experienced and confident pilots fly here.

Landing on St. Martin's Island is considered one of the hardest in the world. Not only is the length of the runway very short, but in addition it also adjoins the seashore. As a result, a passenger liner has to be landed literally over the heads of tourists vacationing on the largest local beach - Maho.

Beaches on the island

Maho is one of the largest beaches that Saint Martin is famous for. The description of it always begins with what sensations tourists experience when passenger liners, arriving on the island, fly 15-20 meters above their heads.

Largely for this reason, Maho is extremely popular among spotters - people who are fond of watching aircraft. The beach itself is small, its length is about 300 meters, and its width is several tens of meters. In one of the eateries, it is obligatory to announce the approach of the next plane through the loudspeaker. Also everywhere along the beach there are boards on which the schedule of the next flights is written in chalk.

Due to the fact that Maho is regularly exposed to strong air currents from airliners, it is completely devoid of vegetation. Also because of this, there are almost always strong waves on the coast, which, in turn, attracts windsurfers. Being in the central part of the beach during the landing of an airliner is very dangerous - it is fraught with injuries (fatal outcomes are not ruled out), which tourists are constantly warned about by local administration employees. After all, the wind speed at this time reaches 160 kilometers per hour. However, many deliberately ignore these warnings, wanting to experience the thrill.

In 2008, the island of St. Martin was badly damaged by the hurricane. France did a lot to minimize the damage. Hurricane Omar washed away all the sand from it and had to be re-imported.

Attractions of the island

Also, tourists are attracted by the highest point of the island - Mount Peak Paradise. It has two viewing platforms, each of which offers an unforgettable view of the Caribbean Sea and the island coast. In order to climb the island, most often they use a car, since the road is very steep and rocky. A bicycle or a moped will not pass here.

The island is also popular among nudists. There are many beaches where wearing clothes is optional. For example, on the Dutch side, this is the Kupekoy beach, located at the very foot of the cliff. True, in the territory of the Netherlands this is the only such place, on any other beach you will definitely be fined.

In French territory, the favorite beach of nudists is Papagayo. Here it is officially allowed. On other beaches, those who want to sunbathe topless are most often tolerated. Especially if it's a weekday and there aren't many visitors.

Football team

One of the most interesting and amazing facts is that the island has its own football team. True, she is not a member of FIFA, therefore she does not participate in qualifying matches for the world championships. But he regularly plays in competitions held under the auspices of CONCACAF - the Football Federation of North and Central America.

The last time the Saint Martin team tried to break into the CONCACAF Gold Cup was in 2012. To do this, it was necessary to successfully perform at the Caribbean Cup. However, in the group stage, the team suffered three defeats - 0:7 from Haiti, 0:9 from Puerto Rico and 0:8 from Bermuda.

In general, the team is considered one of the weakest in CONCACAF. It has been in existence since 1994. On this moment played 26 matches, 17 of which lost. In 6 meetings, the guys managed to win. The most successful year for the Saint Martin team was 2001, when they defeated the teams of Montserrat and Anguilla with a score of 3: 1. These victories remain the largest in its history.

The largest defeat to the St. Martins was inflicted by the Jamaican team in 2004. The game ended with the score 12:0.

Map of the island of Saint Martin.

Saint-Martin Island (French version - Saint-Martin) - an island in the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, located in the northeastern part of caribbean south of and northwest of . On Dutch maps, it has always been referred to as Sint Maarten or St. Maarten (Sint Maarten or Sint-Maarten). In some Russian-language sources, it is designated as St. Martin's Island. The name of the island was given by Christopher Columbus in honor of the Catholic saint on whose day he put the island on the map.

The area of ​​the island of Saint Martin is 87 square kilometers.

Geographical coordinates of the island of Saint-Martin: 18°03′30″ s. sh. 63°03′25″ W d.

Saint Maarten is the smallest island in the world, which is governed by two states. In the northern part of the island is the French overseas community of Saint-Martin, and in the southern part is the self-governing state of Sint Maarten (status aparte), which is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Photograph of the island of Saint Martin from space.

Story.

In the pre-Columbian era, the island of Saint Martin was inhabited by the Arawaks, who came here around the 5th-6th centuries AD. They called it the Island of Salt or the Land of Women. The second Indian name came from the matriarchy that reigned on the island at that time, which was not typical for the Lesser Antilles archipelago.

It is believed that Christopher Columbus discovered the island on November 11, 1493, but most sources believe that this happened a few days earlier, and the indicated date corresponds to the moment the island was mapped.

The Spaniards were not initially interested in Saint Martin, since, in addition to salt deposits, others useful resources didn't have. This was used almost simultaneously by the French and the Dutch, who, after half a century, founded their settlements on the island.

At the end of the 16th century, Spain decided to regain the island of Saint Martin, so the Dutch and French colonists entered into a coalition to repel the attack. Repeated attempts by the Spaniards to seize the island by force failed, after which the question arose of dividing the island. In 1648, the island was divided between the Netherlands and France on the basis of a bilateral treaty, which is still in force today.

In the period from 1651 to 1665, the power of the Order of Malta was restored in the French part of the island. After the "Maltese" left the island, France transferred its part of Saint-Martin to the control of the colonial administration.

Britain captured Saint Martin three times between 1690 and 1699, from 3 February to 26 November 1781 and from 24 March 1801 to 1 December 1802.

During the Napoleonic Wars in Europe in 1810, Saint-Martin was occupied by Britain for the fourth time, but in 1816 it was returned to the jurisdiction of the Netherlands and France.

Something similar happened in 1940, when, after the occupation of France and the Netherlands by Germany, the island of San Martin was occupied first by British troops, who were replaced in 1942 by the Americans. In 1946, the Americans, having closed their base on the island, handed it over to the rightful owners.

In 1919, the Dutch part of the island of St. Maarten, together with the islands and Sint Eustatius, became part of the Netherlands Windward Antilles(Netherlands Windward Islands).

In 1946, the French authorities formed the overseas department of Guadeloupe, which, in addition to the islands, included the French part of the island of Saint-Martin.

On December 15, 1954, the Netherlands Windward Antilles (with the Dutch part of St. Maarten) were merged with the Aruba Islands, and into the Netherlands Antilles or the Netherlands Antilles (Netherlands Antilles) under the jurisdiction of the Netherlands Crown.

On July 23, 2000, a referendum was held in the Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin, on the basis of which this territorial entity was granted status aparte, that is, the status of a self-governing state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

On February 22, 2007, based on the results of the referendum, the French part of the island of Saint Martin (as well as) was granted the status of an overseas community of France with broad autonomous powers and withdrawal from jurisdiction.

Gulf of Marigot.

Origin and geography of the island.

Saint Martin, like all islands in the Windward, has volcanic origin. According to scientists, it was formed when the seabed was raised as a result of seismic activity and an eruption. underwater volcano about 9 million years ago.

The island of Saint Martin in the north is separated from the island of Anguilla by the strait of the same name, it is also separated by the strait of the same name in the southeast from the island of Saint Barthélemy. West Coast Saint Martin is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, and the east by the open Atlantic.

Saint-Martin has a complex geometric shape with a strongly meandering coastline, which along its length forms many bays and bays, as well as peninsulas and capes protruding far into the sea. Among the bays, it is worth highlighting Marigot, Grand Case, Orient, Down, Big Bay and the practically closed Simpson Bay lagoon, connected to the sea by canals. The largest peninsulas on the island include Terre Basse, Marseille and Amsterdam. The relief of Saint-Martin is mostly low-lying and flat, this is especially observed near the coast, which along the entire perimeter of the island is sandy beaches with white and yellow sands. In the central part of the island, there is an uplift in the form of hills, turning into low mountains. The highest point of the island of Saint Martin is Mount Paradis Peak (Pic Paradis) with a height of 424 (according to other sources 414) meters above sea level. The natural sources of fresh water in Saint-Martin are small streams fed by rainwater. In addition to them, there are quite a lot of salt lakes on the island, on which industrial developments are being carried out even at this time.

Panorama of the city of Marigot.

Climate.

The climate on the island of Saint Martin is dry, temperate tropical. Relative humidity is provided by trade winds constantly blowing from the northwest. The air temperature does not fluctuate significantly throughout the year. Its average value in this case is about + 23-26 ° С. During the year, about 500-550 millimeters of precipitation falls on the island in the form of short-term, but heavy rains. Most of them fall in winter period during relatively dry summers.

City of Philipsburg and the adjacent beach.

Population.

The total population in both the French and the Dutch parts of Saint Martin exceeds 74,000 people. In ethno-racial terms, the vast majority of the islanders are descendants of Negro slaves, previously imported from Africa to work on plantations, as well as mulattoes. Europeans and Indians are in the minority (no more than 20% of the total population).

The main direction of the economy of Saint-Martin and the scope of employment local population is an offshore financial activity, the extraction of salt and the service of tourists arriving on the island.

The official languages ​​in the south of the island are Dutch, and in its northern part - French, in everyday life you can hear a mixed Creole speech, which comes from the two above-mentioned languages. In addition to all this, on the island, when communicating, both Spanish and English are often heard.

The largest city in terms of population on the island is administrative center French part - the city of Marigot, located on the northwest coast and has a population of about six thousand inhabitants. The administrative center of the Dutch part of the island is the small port town of Philipsburg, located in the southern part of the island and inhabited by about a thousand inhabitants. Among other more or less large and significant settlements Saint Martin are celebrated: in the Dutch part of the towns of Princes Quarty, Kuulbaai and Simonbaai, and in the French part - Oyster Point, Colombier and Quarty Orleans.

The monetary unit that is in circulation on the territory of the French part of the island of Saint Martin is the euro (EUR, code 978), consisting of 100 euro cents, and in the Dutch - the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG, code 532), which consists of 100 cents.

View of the Simpson Bay lagoon.

Flora and fauna.

The flora and fauna of the island of Saint-Martin is not distinguished by its special diversity. Prior to European colonization, the island was covered in lush, dry tropical forests, which were cut down during the development of plantations and pastures for imported livestock. Now, outside the urbanized areas, plantings of secondary forests resistant to drought are being created. The main tree crop in them is acacia. In the surviving small forest areas Indigenous trees of the island predominate, such as white and red rubber trees, as well as red and iron trees.

The fauna of Saint-Martin is limited to a few species of mammals. Raccoons, mongooses, rats and mice stand out among them. All of them in different periods were brought to the island by man. There are more than a hundred species of sea and land birds here. Reptiles include coal turtles, kokyu and cube frogs, gecko lizards, iguanas, and two types of small, non-venomous snakes. Among the insects on Saint-Martin, butterflies and mosquitoes prevail, in addition to them, centipedes and arachnids live here.

The beach near the airport named after Princess Juliana and the plane landing over the beach.

Tourism.

Tourists and guests can get to Saint-Martin quite easily. In the south of the island, the Princess Juliana Airport has been built and operates, which is one of the ten largest airports in this region. The airport has international status, as it receives flights from Caribbean countries, America and Europe. In the north of the island, near the city of Marigot, there is also an international airport that also receives flights from foreign countries. The cities of Marigot and Philipsburg are port cities, and their berthing facilities are capable of receiving various passenger ships small and middle classes. In addition, Saint Martin is connected to the island of Anguilla by regular ferry service.

There are about 70 hotels of various levels of service on the island at the service of tourists who have arrived on Saint-Martin. Hotels and inns were built, as a rule, in coastal areas close to salt lakes and beaches. Most of them are included in beach and hotel complexes with bars, restaurants, golf clubs and tennis courts. Among the most widely known hotels on the island are such as The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort Spa, La Samanna, Hotel Beach Plaza, Cap Caraibes Resort and others. In addition to hotels, tourists who have arrived on the island can also stay in rented private apartments and apartments of local residents in both the French and Dutch parts. By the way, you can rent an apartment in Moscow by using the services of the Internet service http://cityinnmsk.ru, which is always convenient, reliable and of high quality.

Hotels and mansions on the waterfront in the city of Marigot.

Despite the mountainous terrain in the central part of the island, the coast of Saint Martin is replete with beaches with white and yellow Caribbean sands, which are washed by the purest azure waters Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. In both the French and Dutch parts of the island, there are currently about 30 beaches operating along the coast, among which Cole, Gret, Rouge, Longy, Orient, Grand Cas and many others stand out. There are always a lot of surfers on the beaches of Saint Martin, trying to catch, though rare, but sometimes quite high waves.

Saint Martin compared to neighboring islands region, its conditions are not conducive to diving. However, the presence coral reef in which it lives a large number of tropical fish and others marine life make every dive to a depth memorable and unique. In addition, divers can dive to the frigate Proselyta, which sank in the Middle Ages near Fort Amsterdam, which lies almost in shallow water.

Salt lakes and inland salt lagoons make Saint Martin the most famous spa resort not only in the region, but also in the world. Numerous spa centers and boarding houses are always ready to receive tourists for the treatment of cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal systems.

Guests of the island and tourists interested in sights can visit the old defensive forts of Saint-Louis (near Marigot) and Amsterdam (on a spit west of Philipsburg) on ​​Saint-Martin.

Map of Saint Martin's Island

Saint Martin's Island(Saint-Martin island, fr. saint martin, netherl. Sint Maarten is an island in the Caribbean Sea in the northern part of the Eastern Caribbean chain. Saint Martin's Island is the smallest in the world inhabited island, simultaneously controlled by two independent governments. The northern part of the island is a French overseas community of Saint Martin, while the southern part is a self-governing state with significant autonomy (status aparte) within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is called Sint Maarten. The area is 83 km² (including the Dutch part of the island - 35 km², the French - 48 km²). The highest point is Mount Peak Paradise (424 m) in the French part of the island.

The administrative center of the Dutch part of the island is the city of Philipsburg, the French one is the city of Marigot.

Story

Before the discovery of America by Europeans, the island belonged entirely to the Arawaks, who called it the island of Salt (in honor of the main wealth of Saint Martin) or the Land of Women. After the discovery of the island by Christopher Columbus in 1493, the possession of the Arawaks was renamed Saint Martin, and November 11 - the day the island was put on the world map - is considered its main public holiday. A century and a half later, the first settlements of the French and Dutch appeared here, who formed a coalition when the Spaniards returned to Saint-Martin. The Spanish were unable to take possession of the island, which was divided between France and the Netherlands under a 1648 treaty. Today, this treaty is one of the oldest agreements still in force.

Population

The population of the island (French and Dutch parts together) is 74,250 (2007) people. Whites make up 1/4 of the population. The name "St. Martin" was given to the island by the British, the locals call it Narikel Jinjira, which means "Coconut Island".

Climate

Saint Martin has a dry, temperate climate and, thanks to the trade winds, has sufficient humidity. Its relief is hilly, and the uplands are covered with greenery and forests. It also has over 30 beaches with white sand belonging to the French and Dutch territories. The surface of the island is mountainous, treeless; Mount Mont Paradis reaches 420 m in height.

Economy

Official monetary unit on the Dutch side is the Netherlands Antillean guilder, and on the French side, as in all other overseas possessions of France, the euro. The American dollar is accepted everywhere, in addition, most prices in shops on the island are indicated in this currency. The cost of living is similar or slightly higher than in Europe. Credit cards are accepted everywhere.

The southern, Dutch part of the island is an offshore zone. Companies registered in the Dutch part of the island and not doing business on the island are exempt from taxes. In addition, there is no tax on real estate and on income from its sale.

Princess Juliana Airport is located on this island. Landing in it is considered one of the most difficult, because the end of the runway adjoins the seashore, and the planes are forced to land literally over the heads of tourists relaxing on the beach, while the runway itself is only 2180 m.

Language

The official language of the Dutch part of the island is Dutch. English and Spanish are common here, as well as the papiamento dialect; on the French side, the official language is

Overseas administrative-territorial formation of France, occupying the northern part of the island of St. Martin and a number of small adjacent islands. The island is located in the northern part of the Windward Islands, 8 km south of the island Anguilla, owned by Britain. Saint-Martin Square - 53.2 sq. km. The capital is Marigot.

St. Martin's Island is the world's smallest inhabited island, simultaneously governed by two independent governments. The northern part of the island is the French overseas community of Saint Martin, while the southern part is a self-governing state with significant autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is called Sint Maarten . Although the island is under the control of two different countries, there are no real borders between its two parts.

St. Martin is composed of volcanic rocks, hilly, the highest point is 424 m. The island is located in an area of ​​increased seismic activity. Its landscape is mostly green, but dry - the vast majority of the flora of the island are palm trees, hibiscus and cacti, although in hilly central regions there are several small forests. There are no sources of fresh water on the island.

St. Martin's has many long sandy shores, especially frequent in the southern and western regions of the island, and in the lagoons the beaches extend over the entire width of alluvial sandbars separating them from the sea.

Climate in Saint Martin

Climate in Saint Martin- tropical, trade wind. In winter, the air temperature is +27°С, in summer - about +32°С. The warmer but also wet season is from July to October. From May to October - the so-called rainy season (do not go often).

The most favorable time for a trip is from mid-December to the end of April.

Population

Population of Saint Martin- 35.9 thousand people (2007).

Ethno-racial composition - Creoles (mulattos), blacks, Guadeloupe mestizos (of French-Indian origin), whites, Indians.

The population is mostly Catholics, there are also Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Hindus.

The official language is French. Many residents also speak English, Dutch and Creole.

Currency

Currency of Saint Martin - Euro(currency sign - €, EUR).

Coins in denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents; 1, 2 euros. Banknotes in denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500.

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 15.00-16.00. On Saturdays, most banks are open from 8.00 to 12.00. Sundays and public holidays are usually non-working days. Some exchange offices work around the clock. ATMs are ubiquitous, they usually accept Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and dispense money in euros.

Euros and US dollars are generally accepted everywhere, as are credit cards. However, there are many places that do not accept cards, so you should check this in advance. It is recommended to always have cash with you for small purchases and transport fares.

Communication and communications

Telephone code: 590

Internet domain: .mf, .fr

How to call

To call from Russia to Saint-Martin on a landline, you need to dial: 8 - beep - 10 - 590 - 590 - subscriber's number.

To call from Russia to Saint-Martin on a mobile, you need to dial: 8 - beep - 10 - 590 - 690 - subscriber's number.

To call from Saint-Martin to Russia, you need to dial: 00 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

To call from St. Maarten to the neighboring Dutch Sint Maarten, you need to dial: 00 - 599 - 5 - the subscriber's number.

Fixed line

Despite the fact that the Dutch part of the island is located next to the French part, calls from the French part of Saint Martin to the Dutch part of Sint Maarten are considered international and are charged as international calls.

shopping

St. Martin's Island has a well-deserved reputation great place for shopping. Shopping is duty free in both parts of the island. Sellers pay only 3% VAT. Some sellers may attempt to add it as a separate expense item when selling an item, despite instructions from local tax authorities not to do so.

There are over 500 stores in both parts of the island" duty free", offering a large selection of jewelry, watches, electronics, crystal, clothing from the world's leading manufacturers, French perfumes, the best vintage wines and Havana cigars.

Sea and beaches

Beaches (there are more than 30 of them) are the main attraction of the island of St. Martin. Most of the beaches are well-maintained: cafes and restaurants, beach equipment, water activities. Umbrellas and sun loungers are mostly paid.

There are nudist beaches in Saint Martin, in this respect the French part of the island is more liberal than the Dutch.

History of Saint Martin

Before the discovery of America by Europeans, the island belonged entirely to the Arawaks, who called it the Island of Salt or the Land of Women.

Saint Martin Island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, but the Spaniards did not begin to develop it.

In 1631, the Dutch landed on the island and began to develop salt reserves on it. In 1633, Spain claimed the island, but then ceded it to the Netherlands and France, who divided Saint Martin in two in 1648. France began to own the northern part of the island, then including this territory in the colony of Guadeloupe.

In the 18th century, sugarcane plantations began to be created on the island, and Negro slaves from Africa were brought to work on them. Slavery was abolished by the French authorities only in 1848.

February 22, 2007 French Northern part The islands seceded from the French overseas department of Guadeloupe, and an overseas administrative-territorial unit of France, Saint-Martin, was formed.

South part the island, as before, is part of the Netherlands Antilles (belongs to the Netherlands) and is called Sint Maarten.

Night life

There are over a dozen casinos on the island where you can play Black Jack, Roulette, Poker, Baccarat and more. The casinos are located on the Dutch side of the island, mainly around Philipsburg, Maho Beach, Cupecoy and Simpson Bay. In these same areas, you will also find bars, nightclubs, discos and adult entertainment. On the French side, casinos are not allowed by law.

The border between the French and the Dutch side is almost invisible, it can only be detected by the greeting signs on the road (Welcome!) - which are written in French and Dutch, respectively.

Since there are no sources of fresh water on St. Martin, all water is processed at the island's desalination plants. International brands of bottled water are sold everywhere, such as in Evian. Water is very expensive here!

How to get to Saint Martin

There are no direct flights from to. All international flights arrive in the neighboring Dutch part of the island - at Princess Juliana Airport.

Most convenient options flights from Russia:

via Paris, with airlines: Moscow - Paris - Sint Maarten - Paris - Moscow (the cost of the flight is about 1400-1500 euros round trip). The duration of the flight from Moscow to Paris is 03 h 55 min, from Paris to Sint Maarten - 08 h 45 min (excluding connections).

via Amsterdam, with airlines: Moscow - Amsterdam - Sint Maarten - Amsterdam - Moscow (the cost of the flight is about 1200-1400 euros round trip). The duration of the flight from Moscow to Amsterdam is about 3.5 hours, from Amsterdam to Sint Maarten - about 8.5 hours (excluding connections).