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Overview
Country Overview
St Maarten, one of three Windward Islands in the Netherlands Antilles, is geographically part of the Leeward Group of the Lesser Antilles. It is not strictly an island – it occupies just one third of an island otherwise under French control. St Maarten occupies the southern sector, an area of wooded mountains rising from white sandy beaches.
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.
Philipsburg, the capital and the only town of any size, is situated on a sand bar that separates Great Salt Pond, an étang or salt marsh, from the ocean. The entire town consists of two streets, Voorstraat (Front Street) and Achterstraat (Back Street). The shingled churches are worth seeing as are the ruins of several plantation mansions set in woodland outside the town.
St Maarten’s cuisine is as varied as its history, combining Dutch, French, English and Creole influences. Seafood is a speciality.
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