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St Maarten Population Based upon data available from 2015.
New information will be updated soon.
The land of happy people!
In 2005 approximately 35,000 St Maarten individuals were thought about as long-term residents of St. Maarten (and around 30,000 in St Martin). St. Maarten is without a doubt the most densely populated of all the Dutch Caribbean Islands with just over 1000 people per km2 on the Dutch side.
On average, approximately 1000 people more move to the island as relocation away, this adds to the development figures for the resident population (see Figure 5 ). 2003 saw a significant rise in the numbers of people relocating to and from St. Maarten, and for the first time there was a bottom line of individuals (around 250 more left the island than moved to the island).
There has actually been a significant shift in the structure of the population of St. Maarten for many years from 1995 to 2004. There is an increasing loss of young, financially active residents from the age of 15 years to 20 years, who leave to educate or work abroad.
The resident population are far surpassed by visitors to the island. There are 3 main tourist groups that go to St. Maarten; stay over travelers, cruise boat travelers and yacht tourists.
Stay over visitors alone increase the population of St. Maarten by 7 times over the year, although tourists do not typically stay for more than 2 weeks. The variety of stay over tourists is expected to increase by between 50% (low price quote, 354000 individuals) and 80% (high price quote, 432000 individuals) between 2005 and 2015. If the resident population continues to grow at its existing rate (16.5%) 2015 will see around 47500 individuals completely on Island.
The variety of cruise visitors is likewise anticipated to increase from 2005 to 2015 from simply under 1.4 million to nearly 2 million checking out the entire of the island. Marine base travelers such as Luxury yacht visitors are also likely to increase in number. These boosts in the short-term and irreversible populations on St. Maarten will position increasing pressure on the islands environment and facilities.
The majority of the population are Protestant, though there are Catholic and Jewish minorities.
St Maarten History, There is a possibility that the South American Stone Age people, referred to as the Ciboneys, resided on St. Maarten 4000 BC. The island was covered with overgrown lush vegetation and had lots of unique birds, crocodiles and big rodents.
Pre-History 4000 BC-1490 AD
Upon arrival of the very first people in the Caribbean, the islands were covered with tropical greens and numerous ranges of bats, birds, sea mammals, iguanas, giant land tortoises and big rodents roamed freely without human contact. There are only a few historical sites that actually prove inhabitation in the Caribbean Islands by “Lithic Age” peoples prior to 4000 BC.
From about 4000 BC to about 500 BC, peoples of the “Archaic Age” level of technological development migrated onto the islands from South-/ Central- and The United States And Canada. These Archaic Age St Maarten History inhabitants were semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer-fishing folk, utilizing basic stone and shell and most likely wooden tools, who did not know agriculture nor the manufacture of ceramic vessels. Neither the ethnic associations nor the language of these peoples are known. On St. Martin, the Norman Estate location on the French side is the only site of this period found, and it dates to about 2000 BC.
Beginning around 500 BC, people began to move from South America into the Caribbean region, introducing the “Ceramic Age”. These were much more industrialized societies than the Archaic peoples. They farmed cassava and other crops, used large sea-faring canoes, showing understanding of ceramics, and producing stone and shell tools. These preliminary Ceramic Age neighborhoods likewise had complex social, financial and religious systems.
On St. Martin / St. Maarten, the earliest Ceramic Age artefacts are the remains of these very first migrations from about 500 BC, often referred to as ‘Saladoid‘ individuals. The name that was provided to these people is derived from the location where archaeologists first recognized them, the Saladero site in the Orinoco basin in Venezuela.
According to archaeologists, it is skeptical whether there was ever a large-scale prehistoric Carib exodus into the Northern Lesser Antilles. There is also no evidence, that when the very first Europeans travelled by St. Martin/St. Maarten in the 1490’s, Amerindians were still surviving on the island.
The 1490’s to 1650’s
During his 1492 to 1494 voyage, Christopher Columbus ‘discovered’ the Caribbean islands; potentially sighting St Maarten History on November 11, 1493. The island was called after St Maarten History, the bishop of Trips. Some evidence indicates that the island Columbus saw was Nevis, with later confusion causing the identifying of St Martin. Throughout the fifteenth century, other Caribbean islands were inhabited by numerous European nations like the Spanish, English and French, whilst St. Maarten was ruled out to be of any significance.
In 1624 the first Dutchman set foot on the island and found it uninhabited. Over the following years the Dutch explored the island in higher depth. They observed the salt ponds, which were of fantastic significance given that salt was utilized for the preservation of food. In 1631 a little group of Dutchmen declared the island for the ‘West-Indische Companie’ (West India Company). Concurrently, a group of Frenchman settled in the location now referred to as the French Quarter.
In 1632 the Dutch developed Fort Amsterdam and continued their colonization, the harvesting of salt being among the primary factors for the settlement. Anguilla was likewise inhabited and a small fort was Constructed there. In 1633, the Spanish recaptured both islands and used the materials of the Anguillan fort to enhance Fort Amsterdam. They likewise developed a 2nd fort on Pointe Blanche, now known as ‘the Old Spanish Fort’. Under the command of Peter Stuyvesant, director of the West India Business, the Dutch attempted to recapture St. Maarten in 1644 with some 800 soldiers. In spite of various attacks and an effort to starve the Spaniards, the Dutch might not force the Spanish to
surrender. The Spanish did not leave St Maarten Residency until 1648.
The Dutch and French right away moved back to the island and on March 23, 1648, the famous partition arrangement was signed on Mont des Accords (Concordia). The colonists presented numerous business crops, such as tobacco, indigo, coffee, cotton and sugarcane. Trade began to expand, the island succeeded.
The 1650’s To 1850’s
The island altered hands regularly in between France, England and Holland. Pirates and looters caused much damage, and farming and salt production were not as successful as before. The variety of people on the island changed greatly. In 1667 John Simpson was leader of the
Dutch Part; Simpson Bay might be named after him.
Through the early 1700’s, the British occasionally drove out the French, however the Dutch remained in control. The Dutch Guv John Philips, brought order after the chaotic preceding years. He restored the production of salt and convinced the landowners to plant more coffee, sugarcane and cotton for a greater economic yield. He made land readily available to investors. The English came in large numbers, bringing their English-speaking slaves with them. With the English impact, the Dutch language and culture faded into the background. Fort Amsterdam was reinforced and the main village moved from Cul-de-Sac to its present area and called Philipsburg in honour of the Govenor.
The second half of the eighteenth century brought prosperity, with a peak around 1790, when the island had 92 estates with sugarcane as the primary agriculture crop. Time and again the English attempted to take control of, and by 1817 the island had actually altered hands 16 times. Because year the French and Dutch established lasting control.
In 1766 Fort St. Louis was built in Marigot. In 1772 mention was made of a serious hurricane, and in 1819 another significant hurricane ruined nearly everything on the island, including all historic records!
Simpson Bay village ended up being isolated from the rest of the island. The plantation market decreased due in part to the prohibition of the slave trade. Then from 1820 to 1848, a number of crucial buildings were built; the Reformed Church, the Pasanggrahan (Federal Government Lodging House) and the Methodist Church. There was a revival of the salt market from 1735 in which the whole population took part. In 1845 the colony of Curaçao was divided into the three Windward Islands (St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius) and the 3 Leeward Islands (Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire).
The abolition of slavery on French St. Martin took place in 1848. A variety of slaves on the Dutch side, moved to the French side where they got the status of complimentary foreigners. (One path, the ‘freedom course’ can still be found at the border, between the Dutch and the French Quarter.) To avoid discontent, Dutch plantation owners asked for that the Dutch Federal government eliminate slavery in
the Dutch nests. It was not till 1863 that slavery was officially eliminated. Ultimately, many estate owners left the island and ex-slaves had the ability to obtain property at or around the former estates.
The 1860’s To Now
Through the late 1800’s and early 1900’s market on St. Maarten declined; the production of sugar dropped in 1875, cotton in 1932 and salt in the 1940s. People went back to subsistence agriculture and fishing. Many guys, with or without family members, emigrated to Aruba and
Curaçao to operate in the oil refineries. Others left for seasonal work (sugarcane cutting) in the Dominican Republic or went to the United States.
In the Second World War, Holland was occupied by Germany and France took control over the island for 10 days. The French side was under Vichy control, and was blockaded by Allied forces. In 1943 the Juliana Airport was opened on the Dutch side.
In 1948 the frontier monument was erected, commemorating 300 years of tranquil coexistence. In 1951 the Netherlands Antilles signed the ‘statuut’ to end up being self-governing, and were restructured into Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire and the Windward Islands, each with its own territorial federal government.
The first major hotel (Little Bay) was built in 1955. In 1959 the very first regional radio station started transmitting. In 1960 a powerful hurricane (Donna) hit the island.
In the Lowlands and Terres Basses the first luxury vacation homes were constructed in the 60’s.
In 1966 Philipsburg was extended by filling out part of the neighboring Salt Pond. Varieties of travelers grew along with advancements in air transportation. The economy expanded rapidly. Many St. Maarteners returned home. Employment levels were high and the boom in tourist drew in individuals from other islands along with various parts of the world. The population grew rapidly, intensifying from around 7000 in 1970 to more than 30000 in 1995 on the Dutch side alone.
ST MAARTEN CULTURE
VIBRANT. ENERGETIC. FRIENDLY.
The multiculturalism of St. Maarten springs from its historic role as a crossroads for visitors to the New World. Dutch, French and British traders brought European traditions, while Afro-Caribbean people brought the language and culture of West Africa.
Today the variety of influences is shown in the number of languages spoken. Dutch is the main language, but English is taught in schools and spoken everywhere, while other typical languages are Spanish and Papiamento, the dialect of the Netherlands Antilles. St. Maarten’s premier cultural event is its annual Carnival, which includes parades, calypso competitions, reggae shows, and a limitless array of stands serving standard island food.
The island culture has its roots mostly in African, French and Dutch influences, though ratings of more current immigrants have added their own components to this multicultural society. The tourist boom of the past couple of decades has actually resulted in such an influx of job-seekers from in other places in the Caribbean that only about 20% of all citizens were born upon the island.
Education is obligatory, and around 99 percent of the children participate in school. The government spends about a 3rd of its budget on education, which is modelled on the Dutch system. Apart from local faculties, instructors are recruited from Holland and the Caribbean islands. There are technical and vocational schools, teacher’s colleges and two other more education facilities: the University of St. Maarten and the American University of the Caribbean.
St Maarten History has its own flag. The style shows red, white and blue panels and the island’s crest. This coat of arms portrays the national bird; the Brown Pelican, national flower: Orange Sage (Latana camara), the Court House and the border monument.
St Maarten is positioned in the North Eastern Caribbean (18º N, 63º W) within the Lesser Antilles island group in addition to Saba and St Eustatius. It is one of the five islands that make up the Netherlands Antilles: St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba (Windward Islands) and Bonaire and Curaçao (Leeward Islands).
The Windward Islands become part of the Lesser Antillean Island Arc, which extends from Puerto Rico in the North to the shoreline of Venezuela in the South.
The Windward Islands lie within eye sight of each another, St. Maarten is 63 km from St. Eustatius and 48km from Saba. St. Maarten Real Estate is the biggest of the three Windward Islands and has a location of about 95.8 km ².
St Martin / St Maarten is the tiniest island on the planet to be shared by 2 sovereign governments – the Dutch and French. Considering that in 1648 the island has been divided in two, with, Sint Maarten, the smaller sized Southern side comprising part of the Netherlands Antilles (41.4 km2 ), and Saint Martin, the bigger Northern side being a French Overseas Territory (54.3 km ²).
The island is situated on a submarine plateau called the Anguilla bank with a maximum depth of 36m, which it shares with the islands of Anguilla and St Barthélemy. St Martin/St Maarten has an irregular shape, having numerous bays and lagoons along its coast. Numerous unoccupied small islands surround St Martin/St Maarten. Tintamarre, also called Flat Island, Ile Pinel, Little Secret and Green
Key at the eastern side of the main island along with Great Key in Simpson Bay Lagoon come from French St Martin.
Pelican Key, also called Guana Key, Molly Beday, Cow and Calf and Hen and Chickens at the eastern side of the primary island in addition to Little Key in Simpson Bay Lagoon come from the Netherlands Antilles (Dutch) side of St Martin/St Maarten.
Nature
Coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove and salt pond habitats appear around most of the St Maarten coastline. The coral reefs have spur and groove developments (coral ridges divided by sand channels) and boulders at the dive sites ‘The Maze’ and ‘Hen and Chicks’ are encrusted with numerous types of corals, sponges and polyps. Seagrasses are discovered generally along the southern and south western shores, although they are on the verge of total extinction due to damage triggered by conch fishermen and beachfront property development.
Mangroves can be found around Simpson Bay Lagoon, and around the salt ponds, which supply a perfect habitat for roosting, nesting and migrating birds along with a wealth of other types. The salt ponds supply important foraging locations for many birds and the brackish and sometimes hypersaline conditions give rise to a special wildlife neighborhood that includes several fish types, snails and insects.
The highest points and the geologically earliest parts of the island remain in the centre, including Fort Hill.
( 220m), Cole Bay Hill (215m), Sentry Hill (344m), Saint Peter’s Hill (317m), Flagstaff (386m), Paradis (400m) and Naked Young Boy Hill (300m). Flagstaff is the highest hill on the Dutch side.
Heritage
Established in 1763, Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch St. Maarten, filled a narrow stretch of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond. With its numerous shopping, restaurants, coffee shops and gambling establishments the beachfront boardwalk forms the focal point of traveler activities and has become a popular stop for cruise liner.
St Maarten Beaches, Wherever you stay, you’re never far from the water.
Does your perfect vacation involve soaking up the sun with your favorite book and taking a dip in pristine turquoise waters?
If the answer is a resounding yes, this guide to the best beaches in St Maarten & Saint Martin is exactly what you need right now.
The magical island, nestled in the Caribbean, is quickly shaping up to be a prime vacation destination. Interestingly though, it is shared between two countries. The north of the island, St. Martin, is governed by the French while the south, St Maarten Beaches, is governed by the Netherlands.
In recent years, the glorious beaches, perpetual all-year sunshine, and vibrant nightlife have lured in throngs of tourists eager to experience the fabled waters and postcard-esque beaches.
Best Beach in St Maarten and St Martin:
BEST FOR SWIMMING: MULLET BAY BEACH
BEST FACILITIES: ORIENT BEACH
MOST BEAUTIFUL: LA BELLE CREOLE OR PINEL!
World Famous Maho Beach
Located southwest of the island, Maho Bay Beach has something not many beaches can boast of. Located adjacent to Princess Juliana International Airport, beachgoers are able to get up and close to the massive planes approaching the runway. A myriad of bars line the beach, offering views of the runway, and allowing you to watch the planes land while sipping on your favorite beverage. Or, hit the nearby shopping malls or roadside stalls – there’s plenty to do around here.
That’s hardly all of it. The island is surrounded by a coral reef so swimming and snorkeling opportunities are plenty abound. The reef sees a mesmerizing array of species that won’t disappoint.
Mullet Bay Beach
If you are looking for something quieter than Maho Beach, Mullet Bay Beach maybe exactly what they are looking for. Lush palm trees, undisturbed waters and white sanded beaches make this spot a particular favorite amongst locals.
Rolling surfs are another highlight here. Within paddling distance, the beach has plenty of surfer ready waves, making it well suited for newcomers as well as seasoned surfers. Unfortunately, the close proximity to the cruise terminal – about thirty minutes – attracts large crowds when ships dock so that maybe something you should consider before you visit.
Simpson Bay Beach is as rustic as it comes. Although very close to the airport, it remains one of the most secluded spots on the island. Running for almost 2 kilometers around a lagoon, the secluded beach invites relaxation with calm waters and a backdrop of vibrantly colored fishing boats and the houses of a little village.
It is largely undeveloped so don’t expect much in the way of infrastructure. But, if you are looking for a lazy swim or just some beachside lounging, this is exactly where you should be. Just beware of the steep drop in the ocean bed and you should be fine.
This stunning stretch of beach hides a massive coral reef that offers avid swimmers and snorkelers’ hours of exploration. You’ll also find an array of popular watersport activities including windsurfing. But fear not as there’s plenty for the laidback folks. For starters, there are plenty of entertainment centers, restaurants and shopping stalls, selling everything from tropical t-shirts to souvenirs. Additionally, the beach is clothing optional and so is popular amongst some of the braver visitors.
Situated southeast, this beach is sometimes referred to as “Saint Tropez of the Caribbean” due to its frequent celebrity sightings and stunning natural beauty. Whether it is a night’s stay you are looking for or just unfiltered beach indulgence, you can’t go wrong with Orient Beach.
Roughly translating to Red Beach, this beach is known for its unique reddish sands. Sitting right in between two headlands, it is frequented by flocks of terns and gulls which is why the western end is called Birds’ Bluff, or Falaise des Oiseaux in the native language. The other end, known for its remarkable now-collapsed cave with two natural arches, is named Devil’s Hole, or Trou du Diable. Snorkeling is always an option at the collapsed cave but do be aware of the strong undertow.
As you walk towards the western region, clothing becomes increasingly an optional need but there are plenty of stalls selling clothing accessories and snorkeling equipment for rental.
Dawn Beach
Just south of the France and Dutch border, Dawn Beach stands out for two key reasons; one is the mesmerizing sunsets that gave the beach its name and secondly, the clear unpolluted waters that offer unparalleled snorkeling opportunities.
The Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa property dominates most of the beach and is the reason the shoreline sees a lot of foot traffic. The beach is free to access and the Westin parking lot is open to all visitors. However, even a higher-than-normal crowd doesn’t blemish the experience one bit, especially when it comes to the sunrises. However, do keep in mind that the waves at the beach can be quite rough on some occasions so swimming here is better left to seasoned swimmers.
Friar’s Bay
Referred to as Anse des Pères by the locals, Friar’s is one of the few family-oriented beaches on the island. If you are looking for a break from the more scantily clad shores, do make a beeline here. The gentle shallow waves make it a great shoreline for some seaside fun with the children while the beach bars afford plenty of local flavors and beverages for you to relax.
The beach is between the towns of Marigot and Grand case – do be careful when navigating the bumpy snaking road down to the coastline. Another important factor to note is that the beach has no public bathroom so do plan ahead.
Little Bay Beach
Looking for some seaside indulgence not too far away? Little Bay Beach is a beach strip just a short walk away from the docks. You’ll find a wide selection of shops, restaurants and bars, but surprisingly, the beach doesn’t see too much traffic. The white sand on the beach is as clear as it is soft while the water remains constantly shallow with no abrupt drops.
Local hawkers sell you everything from refreshments to cold beer – don’t be afraid to bargain! Those of you craving an adrenaline rush can choose from a variety of watersports including snorkeling and jet skis. The infrastructure is much more developed than Friar’s Bay so you can expect more facilities.
Cupecoy Beach
Connecting the borders of the island’s two administrative halves, this beloved beach is set in the backdrop of ocean caves and sandstone cliffs. The unblemished sand offers the chance for sunbathing and simple relaxation while swimming is a popular activity when the seas are calm.
The beach is more of a local favorite so don’t expect much in the way of facilities. However, if you can bring your own food, this is the ideal spot for a seaside picnic!
As you move towards the French border, clothing becomes optional while the Western corner is a highlight amongst the LGBTQ community.
Pinel Island
If you don’t mind a bit of an adventure, this secluded island is a magical getaway that’s well worth the journey. Accessible only by boat, shuttle services drop you at an uninhabited island for a couple of dollars where great sunbathing, snorkeling and swimming opportunities await you.
There are a few places that serve local cuisine and beverages while rentals offer equipment for watersports. Do note that given the island is located within a marine park, jet skis and fishing are prohibited. It’s increasing popularity is also attracting large crowds but if you can stay beyond 4.30 PM – when the last ferry leaves – you can enjoy the tranquility more.
Sint Maarten Real Estate Covid19, I have to admit when we hit lockdown around mid-March 2020, like everyone else, we were scared for our futures.
We returned back to work a little over four months ago and it has been phenomenal, with both good and bad experiences!
A disruption in the mindsets of owners has led to opportunities for buyers. However, with Sint Maarten being a strong real estate economy, most owners are comfortable waiting out the ‘buyers market’ for one more year. They know today we struggle, but tomorrow we will be back, mainly because there are no nearby islands that can fill the economic void. Sint Maarten has no competition! Buying Property In St Maarten
Sint Maarten Home Sales:
The questions that we commonly hear. Have you sold any properties? Are there buyers?
The answer is an emphatic YES!
The luxury real estate market has not returned, but the mid to low market is on fire. Homes below $500,000 are selling fast and not seeing much movement in price. If you know you are well priced, then we will definitely sell!
Some owners are pricing their homes much higher than market value to brace themselves for a low offer, however it seems the initial price is deterring buyers from even showing interest to these properties.
Even interest in certain locations has vaned. Pointe Blanche and Philipsburg are at a standstill for now, due to uncertainty in the cruise ship industry.
Cole Bay, Cay Hill and Cupecoy are in high demand due to new developments and reasonable prices.
To confirm our success, please view the comments and questions we receive on our popular Facebook page. Real Estate Sint Maarten
Sint Maarten Rentals:
Sint Maarten Real Estate Covid19, With the closure of some bars, restaurants and tourist businesses a lot of the skilled labour on the island have left. This has created a temporary void in the rental market.
It may come as good news to some and bad news to others, that the rents are dropping in an effort to attract tenants.
However, at Century21, we are not seeing any slow down in long term rentals, in part to the aggressive efforts of our team. Bravo!
The short term rental market has inevitably suffered and as a result, some of the properties assigned to this market have been changing their business plan in favour of long term rentals. A necessary change.
Conclusion:
Overall investors and buyers are flocking into Sint Maarten! They are only looking at real estate deals. Of course, it’s too early to predict anything, hence we are sticking to facts for now.
Each location has its own story and in view of this, I would recommend talking to Ritika about how to proceed with your future real estate plans. Those twenty-six plus years in real estate are vital right now. Ritika may be the only real estate Broker in Sint Maarten seeing all the success, in great part to her endurance and experience!
