Destination: St. Maarten Meeting & Event Planning City Guide
Destination Articles
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Island Meetings
By David Swanson
January 30, 2012
A Dutch outpost—replete with a windmill—set against a desert backdrop. A wealthy island banking community fringed with white sand and undersea walls. A cosmopolitan city with the forts and cobblestone streets that mark the New World’s original Spanish colonization.
Learn about St. Maarten for Event Venues, Services & Meeting Destinations
Destination Description
The Caribbean island of Saint Maarten is split 60/40 between France and the Netherlands. The northern, French part of the island is called Saint Martin, while the southern, Dutch swatch of land is called Sint Maarten. It holds the distinction of being one of the smallest sea islands to be divided between two nations.
The two sides of the island are defined by elements of each country’s culture. The Dutch side of the island is renowned for its lively nightlife, tasty beverages made with local rum-based guava berry liquors and abundant casinos. While the Dutch side sounds like a rocking good time, the French side is geared more toward high-end shopping, eclectic outdoor markets and famous nude beaches.
