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ST. MAARTEN
St. Maarten
Saint Martin (Dutch: Sint Maarten; French: Saint-Martin) is a tropical island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 240 km (150 miles) east of Puerto Rico. The 87 km² island is divided roughly in half between France and the Netherlands; it is the smallest inhabited sea island divided between two nations. The southern Dutch half comprises the Eilandgebied Sint Maarten (Island area of Saint Martin) and is part of the Netherlands Antilles. The northern French half comprises the Collectivité de Saint-Martin (Collectivity of Saint Martin) and is a dependency of France.
Collectively, the two territories are known as "St.-Martin/St. Maarten". Sometimes SXM, the IATA identifier for Princess Juliana International Airport (the island's main airport), is used to refer to the island.
Neither of the two halves of Saint Martin have separate FIPS PUB 10-4 territory codes or ISO 3166-1 codes; they are coded as GP (Guadeloupe) and NA (Netherlands Antilles). Since the status of the French side changed to a overseas collectivity in 2007 and the status of the Dutch side is due to change to a country within the kingdom of the Netherlands in 2008, it is very well possible that both halves of Saint Martin will have a territory code of their own in the near future.
Geography
The main towns are Philipsburg (Dutch side) and Marigot (French side). The island has approximately a total resident population above 71,000, divided evenly between each half. Human density is 3 times that of the Netherlands. In addition there is an average of 1,000,000 tourist visitors per year.
The highest hilltop is the Pic Paradis (414 m) on center of a hill chain. There is no river on the island, but many dry guts. Hiking trails give access to the dry forest covering tops and slopes.
The average yearly air temperature is 27 °C (min 17 °C, max 35 °C) and sea surface temperature 26.4 °C. The total average yearly rainfall is 995 mm, with 22 days of thunder.
Common history
Short review 11 Nov 1493 Discovered and claimed for Spain by Columbus, named Isla de San Martin. 1624 Some French cultivate tobacco on French Quarter. 1631 Dutch small colony on Groot baai to collect salt. 1633 - 1647 Spanish army from Puerto Rico builds the first military fort, but after a few years destroy it and abandon the island forever. 23 Mar 1648 Divided into French (Saint-Martin)(north) and Dutch (Sint Maarten) (south) zones
(Dutch zone subordinate to Sint Eustatius until 1672). 1679 - 1689 French occupy entire island.1689 - 1792 Dutch zone under Dutch West India Company administration. 1690 - 1699 English occupy entire island. 1699 - 1702 French occupy entire island. 24 Feb 1779 - 3 Feb 1781 French occupy entire island. 3 Feb 1781 - 26 Nov 1781 British occupy entire island. 18 May 1793 - 5 Apr 1794 Dutch administer entire island 29 Apr 1795 - 24 Mar 1801 French occupy entire island. 24 Mar 1801 - 1 Dec 1802 British occupy entire island. 9 Jul 1810 Annexed along with...
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Hotels in St. Maarten
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 | Hilton Curacao  |
Score 7.825 from 5 reviews | | John F Kennedy Boulevard | |
| Located in Willemstad, Curacao, this hotel features an on-site diving center, sight seeing tours and 6 restaurants. The hotel also provides a casino, spa and 2 private white sand beaches.
The Curacao Hilton offers on-site scuba diving, snorkeling and jet skiing. A car rental desk, florist and clothing store are at the hotel as well. Children’s activities at the hotel include a kid’s club and mini-golf course.
Guest rooms at the Hilton Curacao feature a private balcony with an island or ocean view. The rooms include an iPod docking station and flat-screen LCD TV.
The Floating Pontoon Bridge and Museum Kura Hulanda are minutes from the hotel. The Seaquarium is located near the hotel as well. ... more | | |
 | Lions Dive and Beach Resort |
Score 7.975 from 21 reviews | | Bapor Kibra z/n | |
| Restaurant Nemo provides guests with poolside breakfast and dinner. Also on-site is Hemingway bar and restaurant, offering a variety of food choices along with cocktails and beverages. ... more | | |
 | Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino |
Score 8.2 from 3 reviews | | John F Kennedy Boulevard,Piscadera Bay | |
| This Curacao hotel offers on-site dining at 5 restaurants, spa treatments and the Emerald Casino. Historic Willemstad and Curacao Sea Aquarium are a short drive from the hotel.
Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino offers rooms with a view of the ocean and a balcony. Every room is equipped with a coffee maker, a work desk and an in-room safe. Select rooms have a sitting area and dining area.
The Marriott Curacao Beach Resort & Emerald Casino offer an outdoor pool with swim up bar. A fitness center is also available at the hotel.
Emerald Casino Curacao Marriott Beach Resort is minutes from the beach. Jet-skiing, scuba diving and snorkeling are also located nearby. ... more | | |
 | Avila Hotel |
Score 7.6 from 21 reviews | | Penstraat 130 | |
| Situated on the beach, in Willemstad, on the island of Curacao, this hotel offers access to a variety of activities, a full-service spa and an array of dining and beverage options.
Avila Hotel features an outdoor pool and state-of-the-art fitness center. Guests can spend the day scuba diving or swimming with dolphins, then relax with a massage in the Santai spa. After playing a game of golf at a nearby course, guests can relax on the beach.
The Blues restaurant at the Avila Hotel serves fresh seafood for dinner, in addition to live jazz music. Guests can visit the hotel's Avila Cafe for an extensive breakfast buffet, then stop by the Belle Terrace for lunch and dinner. ... more | | |
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| | | More hotels in St. Maarten |
| Tango 12M Boardwalk Experience |
4 hours |
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The Friday night life at Phillipsburg's Boardwalk comes alive as soon as the sun disappears. Join Tango catamaran for a scenic St Maarten coastal sail while the sunsets, painting the sky with the vibrant colors of an infamous Caribbean sunset!
An open bar is included before arriving at the 12M Yacht Club, where you will dock for a mouthwatering meal. With a choice of succulent steak, tender chicken or fresh fish, you will eat at a marina setting on the water.
After dinner enjoy the sights and sounds of the Boardwalk as beachside cafes and restaurants come to life with live music and plenty of partying!
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| Rock 'n Roll Snorkel and Sightseeing Safari of St Maarten |
2.5 hours |
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The newest half day snorkel and sightseeing trip in St Maarten!
Be your own Captain as you drive one of the inflatable crafts with your group along the scenic coast of St Maarten. The crafts are easy to drive and can fit up to two people in each.
The mother ship, 'Rock 'n Roll' will accompany the tour with a cooler of ice cold drinks for refreshment throughout the day, and snorkeling equipment for everyone to use!
You will head over to Baie Rouge and Happy Bay for snorkeling and relaxing, and on the way enjoy the stunning beaches and scenery you will see!
With plenty of snorkeling, relaxing, sightseeing and driving, this tour is sure to please everyone looking to see the beautiful beaches of the St Maarten area in an exciting new way!
ONE or TWO passengers permitted per vehicle.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| Seaworld Explorer St Martin |
1 hour |
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View the stunning sea life and tropical fish of St. Martin's marine world, in the cool comfort of the cruising, underwater observatory, the Seaworld Explorer!
Once on board the Seaworld Explorer, the semi-submarine - where the vessel doesn't submerge - you do! Your guide will entertain you en route to 'Rocher de Creole'. Here, the daring diver surrounds himself with clouds of brilliant-colored fish, hand feeding and leading them alongside the viewing chamber, to share the spectacle with you. Sea turtles, eels, barracudas, and stingrays are just some of the reef residents that you'll spot if they're feeling bold and you're lucky!
Have your camera ready for some unique vacation photos!
A coastal cruise completes the 'sea' portion of your excursion - relax on the upper deck, quenching your thirst with an Island Punch while enjoying the scenery across the channel to Anguilla!
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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