Island Information

St. Maarten / St. Martin is located 150 miles southeast of Puerto Rico in the Lessor Antilles (see Caribbean map).  The 37-square-mile island is the smallest landmass in the world to be shared by two different nations.  Dutch St. Maarten (16 square miles) belongs to the Netherlands Antilles, along with the islands of Saba, St. Eustatius, Bonaire, and Curacao.  French St. Martin (21 square miles) is a sub-prefecture of Guadeloupe, a department of France, and therefore a member of the European Union.  According to an August 2005 government census, this cosmopolitan island is home to 104 different nationalities.

St. Maarten/St. Martin offers 37 white sand beaches whose waters are perfect for swimming, boating, snorkeling, diving and fishing.  Daytime recreation also includes tennis, golf, horseback riding, and nature hiking.  The island's freeport shopping is famous throughout the Caribbean.  By night, the activity continues, with a large choice of restaurants, casinos, and nighclubs.  Since temperatures are tropical year-round (average 80-85 degrees F), every day is "another day in Paradise."