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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Civic Brief • Canada Notes

Saint Martin

Saint Martin is a Caribbean island in the Lesser Antilles that is divided between France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Saint Martin is a Caribbean island in the Lesser Antilles divided between France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is one of the smallest inhabited islands shared by two sovereign states.

What it is

Saint Martin is a small island in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, part of the Leeward Islands. It covers about 88 km² (34 sq mi) and is split into two distinct territories: the northern French side (Saint-Martin, an overseas collectivity of France) and the southern Dutch side (Sint Maarten, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands). The island's highest point is Paradis Peak at 424 metres.

Key details

Christopher Columbus sighted the island on 11 November 1493 and named it after Saint Martin of Tours. The political division dates back to the 17th century. French is the official language on the French side, while English is widely spoken across the island. The island is a popular destination for Canadian travellers seeking winter sun and tourism.

Why it matters

Saint Martin is a unique example of two nations sharing a small island with distinct administrations and cultures. For Canadians, it offers a convenient Caribbean getaway with direct flights and a mix of French and Dutch influences. The island's compact size makes it easy to explore both sides in a single trip.

In short

  • Saint Martin is split between France (north) and the Netherlands (south).
  • It covers about 88 km² and is part of the Leeward Islands.
  • Columbus sighted it in 1493; the division dates to the 1600s.
  • Popular with Canadian travellers for winter sun and tourism.
Canadian angle

Saint Martin is a Caribbean destination of interest to Canadian travellers, especially for tourism, air travel, and winter sun vacations.

Quick questions

Is Saint Martin the same as Sint Maarten?
They are the two sides of the same island. Saint-Martin is the French side, and Sint Maarten is the Dutch side.
Which country owns Saint Martin?
No single country owns the whole island. The northern part belongs to France, and the southern part belongs to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
How big is Saint Martin?
The island is about 88 km² in area, or 34 square miles.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Martin-island-West-Indies
    Supports: Island location, area, highest point, political division, history, language, and population.
  2. CIA World Factbook — https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/countries/saint-martin/
    Supports: French overseas collectivity status, location, area, and naming origin.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Sint-Maarten
    Supports: Dutch side of the island and its relationship to Saint-Martin.