Saint-Martin
Saint-Martin, in french and Sint Maarten in dutch, is an island in the northeast Caribbean, 250 kilometers north of Guadeloupe and 240 km east of Puerto Rico. Covering an area of ??93 km2, it has 75,000 habitants.
Population: 74,852
Area: 87 km2
Maximum length: 13.4 km
Maximum width: 15.8 km
Saint Martin is a beautiful Island, a magical place with sandy beaches, turquoise waters and a Caribbean sun. Saint Martin is also called the friendly Island.
She was discovered by Christopher Columbus during his second voyage on November 11, 1493. Its white sand and clear sea have made the island of Saint-Martin a dream destination, but the island is also famous for his political coexistence.
Indeed, France and the Netherlands of 93 Km2 coexist in greater harmony. Signed the Treaty of shares March 13, 1648 has never been questioned. Besides never customs or border police just materialized by a single pane !
Saint Martin is shared from east to west in two parts, Terres basses and grandes terres which are linked by two narrow spits salty pond surrounding the Simpson Bay and plays a role between the chains of Small and Great Antilles. The official currency is the euro, on each side of the border, but the dollar is the currency most commonly used. Some of the Dutch shops only accept dollars.
The Caribbean, all year round the sun rises between 5 am and 6 am and sets between 18 h and 19 h.
The sea is warm: it can exceed 29 ° C from July to October and does not fall under 24 °C during the dry season.
Two seasons are characterized from February to April, the dry season called “Carème” or high season, because it is the most pleasing of the year…
During the summer months, from July to October, however, it is the wet season :
– The “rainy season”, June and October are months of transition, which can be enjoyable. The air (30 ° C) is heavy and stuffy even when the winds.
– The prevailing winds in the Caribbean
– Fortunately frequent, do not refresh the atmosphere and rainy afternoon.
Saint-Martin knows how the taste buds in effervescence…
Mixed gastronomy, which remains a jewel of Saint Martin, is a subtle blend of flavors combining innovation and tradition. The island has created an international reputation and never wavered.
The choice is between fish, lobsters and shellfish, succulent meats, traditional barbecues, all mixed with local spices, sauces Creole or tropical fruits.
Often in Saint-Martin dinner at the restaurant, it is also to make a short excursion into foreign country: decor, aromas, flavors, and even the focus of the service personnel transports you to thousands of kilometers…
Large tables renowned bistros, restaurants or even traditional beach tits, all are St. Martin, Caribbean capital of gastronomy.