St. Maarten

Philipsburg, St. Maarten: Located in the British Virgin Islands, the Caribbean island of St. Maarten is the smallest island to be shared by two countries. At only 34 square miles, the island is comprised of Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint Martin.

Like its neighboring islands, the island was initially inhabited by Indian tribes. The Arawaks initially settled on the island. They were then run out of island by the Carib Indians. The Carib Indians remained on the island until settlements from the Europe arrived.

Although he did not land here, Christopher Columbus named the island in 1493. He sighted the island while on exploration. He named the island St. Maarten after the holy day of St. Martin of Tours, the day in which he sighted the island.

The island was not inhabited by Europeans until 1630 when the Dutch and French established small villages on the island. The Spanish did not sit silently as they retook the island in 1633. The Spaniards occupied the island until the joint Dutch and French forces drove them out to stay in 1644.

In 1648, both country signed the Treaty of Concordia, agreeing to divide the island between the two countries. Island folklore says they each county picked a walker and they started back to back and walked in opposite directions around the island. When they met back up, a straight line was drawn between the starting and ending point and that was the border. The settlement of the island changed hands again several times before reverting back to the original line in 1816.

Today the island is home to almost 73,000 residents while over a million people a year visit to the island. The island is home Princess Juliana International Airport and a cruise port to attract the international travelers.

St Maarten has a lot to offer its visitors. Its world class beaches Orient Beach (French Riviera of the Caribbean), Maho Beach (at the base of the international airport where jets come within a few yards of the sunbathers below), Simpson Bay and Grand Case just to name a few. The island also features shopping, great food, casinos and its nightlife that keeps bringing visitors back to the island.

For more photos, visit my St Maarten photo page.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Photo of the Day: Disney's Hollywood Studios

Image
  For many years, a towering, iconic Sorcerer's Hat served as the unmistakable central landmark for Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios), drawing visitors deep into the park's vibrant heart. The hat, an enormous, three-dimensional representation of the magical cap worn by Mickey Mouse in his role as the Sorcerer's Apprentice from the classic film Fantasia , was initially erected as a centerpiece for the park's 100 Years of Magic celebration, honoring the centennial of Walt Disney's birth. Its prominent placement quickly cemented its status. Much like the instantly recognizable icons of the other Walt Disney World theme parks—Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, the geodesic sphere of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, and the intricately carved Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom—the Sorcerer's Hat became the park's most famous symbol and a favored backdrop for countless visitor photographs. Its design featured bold colors, stars, and the moon...
Read more

Photo of the Day: New York City

Image
Along the perimeter of Central Park, nestled within the vibrant core of New York City, stands a collection of the city's most architecturally significant and historic luxurious apartment buildings. These iconic addresses are more than just residences; they are meticulously preserved monuments that pay homage to a bygone era of Gilded Age splendor and pre-war elegance, maintaining their original magnificence and grandeur.  A premier example of these exceptional homes is The Beresford. Completed in 1929, this legendary co-op on Central Park West is instantly recognizable by its distinctive trio of massive copper towers and is celebrated for its imposing scale and sophisticated design. Conceived by the renowned architect Emery Roth, The Beresford stands as a testament to the period's commitment to lavish detail, expansive layouts, and unparalleled exclusivity. It offers residents breathtaking panoramic views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, cementing its status not just ...
Read more

Visiting the Florida Holocaust Museum: A Powerful and Reflective Experience

Image
St Petersburg, Florida: Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, the Florida Holocaust Museum is one of the largest institutions of its kind in the United States, dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and educating future generations about the dangers of hatred and intolerance. Founded in 1992 by Holocaust survivors Walter and Edith Lobenberg, the museum has grown into a deeply moving cultural and educational destination that encourages visitors to reflect on history while promoting a more compassionate future.  Overview of the Museum  The museum’s core exhibit, “History, Heritage, and Hope,” takes visitors on a chronological journey through the Holocaust, beginning with the roots of antisemitism and continuing through the rise of Nazi Germany, World War II, and eventual liberation. The experience is largely self-guided, allowing visitors to move at their own pace while engaging with photographs, personal artifacts, and survivor testimonies.  One o...
Read more