Like other islands in the Caribbean, St. Maarten/St. Martin traces its origins to before recorded history when Amerindians, known as the Arawaks, made their way from South America looking for peace and prosperity. The island also appealed to the warlike Carib Indians, however. So by the time Christopher Columbus is believed to have sighted the island in 1493, there were few Arawaks left.
Fortunately, the Dutch and French who settled the island in the 1600s have been able to live together more successfully. In 1998, they celebrated 350 years of sharing the smallest island to be inhabited by two different nations.

Much is made of this dual-nationality by visitors, but residents take it in stride. Although St. Maarten is part of the Netherlands Antilles and the Kingdom of the Netherlands and St. Martin is a commune of Guadeloupe, an overseas territory of France, citizens of both counties, along with other residents representing 77 different nationalities work, play, marry, and raise children almost as though it were one nation. This paradox is at the root of the charm and uniqueness of St. Maarten/St. Martin.

While the topography of the island is very much the same on both sides, crossing the informal border brings a marked change in style and tradition. Philipsburg on the Dutch side is bustling; Marigot on the French side is more subdued. The Dutch seem to embrace tourism with somewhat of a vengeance. The French take it more casually and with a little more independence. Residents of both sides, however, recognize that tourism is the mainstay of the island. They may have a slightly different approach, but both treat visitors well, making the island a great place to visit to experience not only the Dutch and French cultures, but the culture of the West Indies as well.

Local Language
English is spoken everywhere, but Dutch is the official language of St. Maarten and French the official language of St. Martin. On the Dutch side, residents also may speak Spanish or Papiamento, the dialect of the Netherlands Antilles. On the French side, you may hear some Creole Patois.

Local Currency
Exchange currency is available at airports and hotels, many shops, and at banks, which offer the best rates.
Although the Netherlands Antilles florin or guilder (NAfl) is the official currency on the Dutch side and the French franc (FF) is the legal tender on the French side, U.S. dollars are accepted by nearly everyone on the island. Prices generally are posted in U.S. dollars as well as the local currency. Some prices also may be listed in Euros, which are beginning to come into use.
ATMs are the best way to get extra cash. Before leaving home, check with your credit card company to be certain your PIN number will work. Although ATMs can be found on both sides of the island, they are more prevalent on the Dutch side. Look for them in banks, shopping malls, and food stores. Since they require a transoceanic telephone call to make the transaction, they can be slow and sometimes unreliable.
Travelers' checks also are accepted by larger establishments. Those in U.S. dollars are the most convenient since they can be used on both sides of the island.
Credit cards are acceptable for almost any purchase on the island. Some businesses may impose a surcharge for using a credit card. Check before you make your purchase. Also ask what currency will be used to make the charge.