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ST. MAARTEN
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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
| National Park Jeep Safari |
7 hours |
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A full day off-road 4x4 adventure in a Land Rover, in the Christoffel National park offers you an awesome way to experience the beautiful nature of Curacao.
You will be picked up at your hotel and given a briefing and safety instructions by our driver/guide in reference to driving in open vehicles, specifically in the 'wild Curacao' terrain.
After an impression of the island you will arrive at the northern shore of the park where you will visit, Boca pistol to witness enormous waves smashing into the rocks producing a loud 'pistol' sound. The Boca Table cave is always worth a visit after which we will head west to explore the bare terrain filled with cacti, and lizards.
After enjoying lunch at the historic Savonet Plantation you will enter the main park. The Christoffel National Park is a combination of beautiful nature and amazing historical sites from the time of the slave trade and huge slave plantations. You will also drive through an off road area filled with orchids, birds of pray and sometimes even deer.
Other highlights of the tour are some amazing views some of them more then a 1000 feet above sea level.
This is a MUST DO adventure!
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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!
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| City East Tour Shopping Special |
2.5 hours |
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Enjoy this sightseeing tour and visit the main highlights of the Island!
Drive through the Old City of Willemstad and enjoy all the historical monuments, such as the Forts of Amsterdam and Nassau.
Make a stop at an Old Plantation House (Chobolobo) and learn how they make Blue Curacao Liqueur and why not taste it! Next you will make your way to the east country side passing the nice landscape that is what Curacao really consists of! Stop at a Caribbean handcraft market for local souvenirs and the spectacular view from Spanish Water. You will see points of interest such as the yacht club, the residential area and resort area, before making a stop at one of the crystal clear beaches of Curacao.
Shop till you drop at Punda main shopping for one hour, where you will also learn information of the development of the area from the past to the present.
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