Sint Maarten is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it 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. The port is a popular cruise-ship stop. (Information Obtained from google Search)
This was one of our stops on a Norwegian Cruise we had taken out of Port Canaveral.
Sint Maarten is steeped in history. The oldest treaty in effect in the Caribbean is the Treaty of Concordia which was signed between the Dutch and French for the partition of Saint Maarten in 1648. The partition was based on the economic needs of each state and the proximity to nearby colonies. With this treaty, both parties agreed to share resources, and protect one another. It was violated over a dozen times before truly being enforced and respected. Nevertheless, today both sides enjoy the cultural and economic ties, strengthened over centuries.
Although both sides are governed by two different bodies of government and each follows its own set of unique laws, the connection between locals is undeniable. It’s a great benefit to be able to access services on either side of the island but also witness the duality in lifestyles. Sint Maarten, the Dutch side, is located at the south of the island and is one of the four constituent countries that comprise the Kingdom of the Netherlands. While Dutch is considered the official language on the Dutch Side, English and a local English-based Creole are widely spoken around the island, and visitors can expect to hear many more languages spoken on the island. The Dutch side of the island is home to the island’s airport, cruise port, and the cosmopolitan capital of Phillipsburg. While the country’s official currency is the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG), the US Dollar is more commonly used.
Locals and visitors alike have noted that this side of the island has a more Caribbean vibe than its northern neighbors on the French side. The island’s unique social landscape becomes more special when you add the 100 plus nationalities that call Sint. Maarten home, making the island burst at the seams with languages, food, and traditions from around the world.
Our time here was short, most of our time was spent in Philipsburg doing some shopping and enjoying the views of the lagoon before we headed out on an excursion to the French side of the island. We also took a boat trip around the Simpson Bay Lagoon.
The scenery is beautiful, waters are pristine, with white sand beaches, and plenty of outdoor activities. We took a sunset sail and enjoyed being out on the water enjoying the views between Sint Maarten and Saint Martin.
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