Saint Martin (redirected from Sint Maarten)

Saint Martin (săN märtăN`), Du. Sint Maarten, island, 37 sq mi (96 sq km), West Indies, one of the Leeward Islands. Since its occupation in 1648 by the Dutch and the French, it has been divided; the northern part (1999 pop. 29,078; 20 sq mi/52 sq km), with the capital at Marigot, belongs to French Guadeloupe, and the southern part (1989 est. pop. 29,500; 17 sq mi/44 sq km) belongs to the Netherlands Antilles. The chief town on the Dutch side is Philipsburg. Both towns are free ports. A hilly, scenic island provided with good harbors, St. Martin is a popular tourist resort, and tourism is the main source of income.

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Saint Martin

 Dutch Sint Maarten

Island, Leeward Islands, eastern West Indies. Located northwest of Saint Kitts and Nevis, it covers an area of 33 sq mi (85 sq km). Discovered by Christopher Columbus, it was divided in 1648 between the French and the Dutch. The northern section of the island (20 sq mi [52 sq km]) is a dependency of the French overseas department of Guadeloupe; its chief town is Marigot (pop., 1990: 26,000). The island's southern section (13 sq mi [34 sq km]) is administratively part of the Netherlands Antilles; its main town is the island's capital, Philipsburg (pop., 1990: 32,000). The island's economy is based on tourism.

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Saint Martin

an island in the E Caribbean, in the Leeward Islands: administratively divided since 1648, the north belonging to France (as a dependency of Guadeloupe) and the south belonging to the Netherlands (as part of the Netherlands Antilles); salt industry. Pop.: (French) 29 078 (1999); (Dutch) 33 119 (2004 est.). Areas: (French) 52 sq. km (20 sq. miles); (Dutch) 33 sq. km (13 sq. miles)