Why is it called St Martin?
Why is it called St Martin? Christopher Columbus, the famous explorer, sailed past the island on November 11, 1493, St. Martin's Day. He spotted the island and named it after the patron saint.
Why is Saint Martin airport so famous?
SXM has become a leader in Caribbean aviation. It is far more than just a facility; for many, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, from the stunning approach to the runway - with its spectacular landing and take-off, which has made it world-famous for plane-spotters - to its unique character and sense of place.
Are there 2 airports in St. Martin?
Saint Martin/Sint Maarten has two airports – Princess Juliana International Airport which is located on the Dutch side of the island and the other located on the French side and it is called Saint Martin Grand Case Airport.
Can you drink tap water in St. Martin?
The tap water in Sint Maarten/St. Martin is safe to drink in most places. Many establishments serve desalinated water. Bottled water is inexpensive if you do not like the taste of the tap water.
Do they speak French on St. Martin?
Martin. The island of Saint Martin / Sint Maarten hosts two overseas European territories. French is the official language in French St. Martin, the northern half of the island, while Dutch is spoken in Sint Maarten, the southern half.
Who does France share the island of Saint Martin with?
The 87-square-kilometre (34 sq mi) island is divided roughly 60:40 between the French Republic (53 km2, 20 sq mi) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands (34 km2, 13 sq mi) by the 16 km (10 mi) border.
Why is St. Martin half French and half Dutch?
Between 1627 and 1631, Holland decided to send settlers to St. Martin, to exploit the island's natural salt reserves. The French and the Dutch signed the Treaty of Concordia, also known as the Partition Treaty, on March 23, 1648. So the island was split into two parts and shared by France and Holland.
Why is Saint Martin divided between 2 countries?
The Spanish finally relinquished Saint Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it between themselves in 1648. Friction between the two sides caused the border to frequently fluctuate over the next two centuries, with the French eventually holding the greater portion of the island (about 61%).
Can you go to both sides of St. Martin?
There is no physical border between the French and Dutch territories and people and goods may travel freely between both sides of the island. The Dutch side's official currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) while the official currency of the French side is the euro (EUR).