The most prominent physical feature in St Maarten is Mount Flagstaff, an extinct volcano, but the most important for visitors is the excellent beach that follows the south and west coasts. Beach activities and shopping at duty-free centres satisfy most tourists. The island is also popular with sailing enthusiasts and divers.
Occupied since prehistory by Carib Indians, St Maarten was sighted by Christopher Columbus on St Maarten’s day in 1493. However, the first European settlers were French and Dutch who, in 1648, partitioned the island. The island has remained under dual sovereignty ever since, the Dutch sector achieving partial independence from the Netherlands in 1954 with the establishment of the Netherlands Antilles.
Part of the Netherlands Antilles; dependency of The Netherlands since 1630.
Language
Dutch is the official language. Papiamento (a mixture of African, Dutch, English, Portuguese and Spanish) is the commonly
used lingua franca. English and Spanish are also widely spoken.
Religion
Protestant, with Roman Catholic and Jewish minorities.
Time
Social Conventions
Dutch customs are still important throughout the Netherlands Antilles, but tourism has brought increasing US influences and
St Maarten is perhaps more easy-going than the southern islands. Dress is casual and lightweight cottons are advised, but
it is common to dress up in the evening.
Electricity
110/220 volts AC, 60Hz.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Etienne Ys since 2004.
Head of State
Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands, represented locally by Governor General Frits Goedgedrag.
Overview 
