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Situated about 150 miles east of Puerto Rico, the
island of St. Maarten/St. Martin is the smallest
island in the world to haven partitioned between two
different nations. St. Maarten/St. Martin has
been shared by the Dutch and the French in a spirit
of neighborly cooperation and mutual friendship for
almost 350 years. The border is almost
imperceptible and people cross back and forth
without ever realizing they are entering a new
country. Enjoy the best of both sides of the
island as each as retained much of the
distinctiveness of it own national culture.
Dutch St. Maarten covers 16 square miles of the
southern part of the island, an area marked by
verdant, rolling hills that languidly rest
above mile after mile of beach, salt pond and lagoon. St. Maarten, with its busy cruise port and bustling commercial district, has long been an active center for trade and
tourism.
Although the region falls under the government of
Netherlands Antilles and the Kingdom of the
Netherlands, its diversity and the strong influence
of West-Indian traditions make its culture anything
but exclusively Dutch. St. Maarten's atmosphere is a
winning blend of Caribbean hospitality and European
sophistication.
French St. Martin personifies comfort and elegance.
The beaches are secluded, and the restaurants offer
the finest dining experiences anywhere in the
Caribbean. The latest French fashions can be
found in many of the shops and the smell of fresh
croissants and pastries mixes everywhere with the
spicy aromas of West Indian cooking. Small
cafes and charming bistros add a decidedly European
and cosmopolitan flair to the island. Overall,
the atmosphere remains very relaxed. |
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