Saint Martin Travel Guide

This article is about the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean.

For other uses of Saint Martin see Saint Martin.

Saint Martin is an island split between French Guadeloupe and the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten. It is one of the smallest land masses divided between two countries.

To understand its governmental history, and the recent change to the "Dutch" side government, see

The northern, French side of the island is known as Saint-Martin, and is 21 square miles. The southern, "Dutch side" of the island is known as Sint Maarten, and is 16 square miles. The Dutch side has recently formed its own government and legal system, with its relations with the "French side" to remain unchanged. To avoid confusion between the three variations on the name, the two regions are commonly referred to as "the French side" and "the Dutch side".... (more)

The northern, French side of the island is known as Saint-Martin, and is 21 square miles. The southern, "Dutch side" of the island is known as Sint Maarten, and is 16 square miles. The Dutch side has recently formed its own government and legal system, with its relations with the "French side" to remain unchanged. To avoid confusion between the three variations on the name, the two regions are commonly referred to as "the French side" and "the Dutch side".

Although this island is controlled by two different countries, there is no real border. There are only monuments and signs that delineate the border. Over 350 years ago the two countries decided that residents of either country could travel across both sides of the border without worrying about any trouble. The two countries live peacefully without difficulties, which helps tourism considerably. Any separation is more from separate and dissimilar utilities systems, e.g., power on French side is 250V 50 Hz, while the Netherlands side is 110/120 60 Hz. In addition, one must take special care when dialing from the French to Dutch or Dutch to French side as it is, in effect, an international call and requires special dialing instructions. These instructions are typically posted at hotels and tourist locations.

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