Saint Martin / Sint Marteen

The first traces of population on Saint Martin date back to 4000 BC.
It is known that the Taino ethnic group, part of the larger Arawak population, lived here around 800 AD.
They were eventually replaced by a Carib tribe (also called Kalinago) in 13th century.
But as with other islands in this region it was Christopher Columbus who gave the current name.
He called the island “Saint Martin” on November 13, 1493 simply because it was St Martin’s day.
However many locals still call their island Soualiga, “Salt Island”, or Oualichi which translates into English as Women’s Island.”

Dutch and French settlements peppered the island.
The Spanish soon attacked the Dutch, settling in the South of the island for a while before they left.
This led wa followed by some tense moments between the French and the Dutch settlements.
They ended up signing an agreement called Concordia Convention- still valid today!
However things did not go that peacefully afterwards, as Pirates and British troops attacked Saint Martin island several times.

The economy of the island is founded with successive success on tobacco, indigo plants, sugar cane and cotton.
However since the 1960s tourism has been an integral part to its economic growth and now constitutes Saint Martin / Sint Maarten primary resource for income.

Saint Martin Natural Reserve
Located northeast of the French side, this Saint Martin Natural Reserve preserves the island’s five main ecosystems.
These are mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs coastal forests and ponds.
Many wild animals can be observed such as dolphins and humpback whales and over 90 bird species.

Grand Case
You will not only find some of the best restaurants and food in the Caribbean, but you can also spend time on its scenic beaches.
From January to April every year, Grand Case main street hosts a lively market, including street food, carnival parades and live musicians. The crystal clear waters of Grand Case offer a nice variety of marine life and are very appreciated for snorkelling.

Marigot
The bustling French capital, Marigot is a town with an open market and traditional Creole houses along the seaside. You will find fine restaurants and French luxury tax free boutiques.
For those who love to explore history, there’s Fort Louis up on top of a hill built in 1789 for you to admire from high above the Caribbean Sea or Anguilla Island below.