Sint Maarten

1493 (November 11, Friday): Christopher Columbus first sighted the island

1648 (March 23, Sunday): The island is split between the Dutch and the French, leading to the creation of Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin

1816 (March 1, Friday): The Dutch officially govern the southern part of the island

1954 (December 15, Wednesday): Sint Maarten becomes part of the Netherlands Antilles

2010 (October 10, Sunday): Sint Maarten becomes a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles

2017 (September 6, Wednesday): Hurricane Irma causes widespread destruction on the island, with severe damage to infrastructure and homes

2020 (April 1, Wednesday): COVID-19 pandemic causes significant disruption to the tourism-dependent economy, leading to lockdowns and travel restrictions

2021 (October 2, Saturday): A major storm causes flooding and power outages across the island

2022 (January 15, Saturday): A smaller earthquake (magnitude 4.7) is recorded near the island with minor tremors felt in Sint Maarten

2023 (August 1, Tuesday): Another tropical storm hits the region, causing localized flooding and wind damage

Continent: North America (Caribbean)
Location: Caribbean Sea, located on the island of Saint Martin
Capital: Philipsburg
Language: Dutch (official), English
Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG)
Population: ~43,000 (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST) / UTC -4

Borders: Shared with the French overseas collectivity of Saint-Martin
Landscape: Coastal plains with hills, beaches, and rocky terrain
Major Rivers: None
Major Mountains: Mount Paradise (highest point)
Deserts: None
Lakes: None
Volcanoes: None
Highest Point: Mount Paradise (424 m / 1,391 ft)
Lowest Point: Caribbean Sea (0 m / 0 ft)
Climate: Tropical, with a wet season (May–November) and a dry season (December–April)
Geological Features: Coastal plains, small mountain ranges, and beaches

Ethnic Groups: Primarily Afro-Caribbean, with smaller communities of Dutch, Indian, and European descent
Religion: Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholic and Protestant), small Muslim and Hindu populations
Urban Population: ~90% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~7% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Tourism, beaches, and vibrant local culture; popular cruise ship destination
Cuisine: Seafood, chicken, plantains, rice, and local dishes like salt fish and johnny cakes
Arts: Caribbean music (calypso, reggae, soca), art festivals, and crafts
Sports: Football (soccer), basketball, and sailing

Economy Type: Service-based, with a focus on tourism
GDP: Approx. $1.2 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Tourism, retail, financial services, and transportation
Key Exports: Jewelry, electronics, and clothing (tourism-related products)
Unemployment Rate: ~12.1% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Tourism-centered in Phillipsburg and the airport area, with other local industries scattered around the island

Government Type: Parliamentary democracy, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Head of State: King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (Parliament of Sint Maarten)
Constitution: In effect since 2010, after Sint Maarten became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Maho Beach: Famous for its proximity to the airport, where planes fly low over the beach
Philipsburg: Capital city with duty-free shopping, beaches, and historic landmarks
Simpson Bay Lagoon: Known for water sports and boating
Loterie Farm: A nature reserve offering hiking trails and outdoor activities
Mullet Bay Beach: Popular beach with clear waters and snorkelling opportunities