Overview of Saint Martin

Profile

Saint Martin is a small French territory of approximately 53 km² consisting of the northern half of Saint Martin Island and surrounding islets, renowned as a tourist resort with crystal-blue waters and white-sand beaches. An EU 'outermost region' with the euro as currency and French as the official language, though English is widely spoken. As a duty-free port, it's popular for shopping luxury brands, jewelry, and spirits. With year-round warm weather, visitors from around the world flock here for marine sports and gourmet dining.

Official name: Collectivity of Saint-Martin (French Republic Overseas Collectivity)
Common name: Saint Martin
Numeric code: 663
Alpha-3 code: MAF
Alpha-2 code: MF
Population: Approximately 33,000 (2019)
Population density: Approximately 610 people/km²
Primary languages: French, English (widely used), Saint Martin Creole
Major religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant
National anthem: La Marseillaise (French Republic national anthem)
Calling code: +590
Internet TLD: .fr, .gp（.mf は予約のみ）

History

The island was divided between France and the Netherlands by the Treaty of Concordia in 1648, and Saint Martin became a separate overseas collectivity from Guadeloupe in 2007.

After Columbus named the island in 1493, France, the Netherlands, and Spain contested control until the 1648 treaty established roughly the current border. Sugar plantations and slavery drove the economy until the mid-19th century, when France abolished slavery in 1848. Following the duty-free port declaration (1939) and expanded air access from the 1960s, tourism became the focus. A 2003 referendum with overwhelming approval led to its establishment as a separate overseas collectivity in 2007. Tourism and financial services now anchor the economy.

Geography & climate

Mosaic of mountainous interior, coral-sand beaches, and mangrove-fringed lagoons.

Tropical marine climate

Area: North America (Caribbean) / 53.2 km²
Capital: Marigot
Largest city: Marigot
Coastal status: Yes
Major lakes: Simpson Bay Lagoon, Grand Case Lagoon
Bordering countries: Sint Maarten

Natural resources

White-sand beaches, Coral reefs, Mangrove forests, Salt from old salt ponds, Guavaberry trees, Tropical hardwoods, Ornamental marine life, Wind resources, Solar radiation, Tourism scenery

Politics

Government: Overseas collectivity of the French Republic (semi-autonomous territory)

Economy

Currency: Euro (EUR)

GDP (nominal): 0.57 billion USD (2019)

GDP (PPP): unknown

Language & timezone

Primary languages: French, English (widely used), Saint Martin Creole

Time zone: Atlantic Standard Time

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Afro-Caribbean Creole, French White, Haitian, Dominican, Indian, Chinese, Lebanese

Life expectancy

Approximately 81 years

Literacy rate

Approximately 98%

National sports

Soccer, Sailing, Yacht Racing, Baseball, Cricket, Basketball, Beach Volleyball