Christopher COLUMBUS claimed Saint Martin for Spain in 1493, naming it after the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, but it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 to exploit its salt deposits. The Spanish retook Saint Martin in 1633, but the Dutch continued to assert their claims. The Spanish finally relinquished the island to the French and Dutch, who divided it between themselves in 1648. The border frequently fluctuated over the next 200 years because of friction between the two countries, with the Dutch eventually holding the smaller portion of the island (about 39%) and adopting the Dutch spelling of the island’s name for their territory.
The establishment of cotton, tobacco, and sugar plantations dramatically expanded African slavery on the island in the 18th and 19th centuries; the practice was not abolished in the Dutch half until 1863. The island’s economy declined until 1939 when it became a free port; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded beginning in the 1950s. In 1954, Sint Maarten and several other Dutch Caribbean possessions became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as the Netherlands Antilles. In a 2000 referendum, the citizens of Sint Maarten voted to become a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, effective in 2010. In 2017, Hurricane Irma hit Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, causing extensive damage to roads, communications, electrical power, and housing; the UN estimated that 90% of the buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Geography
Location
Caribbean, located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea; Sint Maarten lies east of the US Virgin Islands
Geographic coordinates
18 4 N, 63 4 W
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Area
total : 34 sq km
land: 34 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin
comparison ranking: total 234
Area – comparative
one-fifth the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
total: 16 km
border countries (1): Saint Martin (France) 16 km
Coastline
58.9 km (for entire island)
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 150 cm/year; hurricane season stretches from July to November
Terrain
low, hilly terrain, volcanic origin
Elevation
highest point: 250 m SW of Mount Flagstaff summit, 383 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources
fish, salt
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 10.9% (2022 est.)
other: 89.1% (2022 est.)
Population distribution
the most populous areas are Lower Prince’s Quarter (north of Philipsburg) and Cul de Sac
Natural hazards
subject to hurricanes from July to November
Geography – note
note 1: the northern border is shared with the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin; together, these two entities make up the smallest landmass in the world that is shared by two self-governing states
note 2: Simpson Bay Lagoon (aka Simson Bay Lagoon or The Great Pond) is one of the largest inland lagoons in the West Indies; the border between the French and Dutch halves of the island of Saint Martin runs across the center of the lagoon, which is shared by both entities
People and Society
Population
total: 46,215 (2024 est.)
male: 22,817
female: 23,398
comparison rankings: total 210; female 210; male 210
Ethnic groups
Saint Maarten 29.9%, Dominican Republic 10.2%, Haiti 7.8%, Jamaica 6.6%, Saint Martin 5.9%, Guyana 5%, Dominica 4.4%, Curacao 4.1%, Aruba 3.4%, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.8%, India 2.6%, Netherlands 2.2%, US 1.6%, Suriname 1.4%, Saint Lucia 1.3%, Anguilla 1.1%, other 8%, unspecified 1.7% (2011 est.)
note: data represent population by country of birth
Languages
English (official) 67.5%, Spanish 12.9%, Creole 8.2%, Dutch (official) 4.2%, Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 2.2%, French 1.5%, other 3.5% (2001 est.)
Religions
Protestant 41.9% (Pentecostal 14.7%, Methodist 10.0%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.6%, Baptist 4.7%, Anglican 3.1%, other Protestant 2.8%), Roman Catholic 33.1%, Hindu 5.2%, Christian 4.1%, Jehovah’s Witness 1.7%, Evangelical 1.4%, Muslim/Jewish 1.1%, other 1.3% (includes Buddhist, Sikh, Rastafarian), none 7.9%, no response 2.4% (2011 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 18.4% (male 4,409/female 4,114)
15-64 years: 66.3% (male 15,158/female 15,496)
65 years and over: 15.2% (2024 est.) (male 3,250/female 3,788)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 50.8 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 27.8 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 23 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 4.4 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 41 years (2024 est.)
male: 39 years
female: 42.8 years
comparison ranking: total 55
Population growth rate
1.15% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 79
Birth rate
12.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 144
Death rate
6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 141
Net migration rate
5.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 16
Population distribution
the most populous areas are Lower Prince’s Quarter (north of Philipsburg) and Cul de Sac
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.16% annual rate of change (2020-25 est. est.)
Major urban areas – population
1,327 PHILIPSBURG (capital) (2011)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 150
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 79.7 years (2024 est.)
male: 77.4 years
female: 82.2 years
comparison ranking: total population 62
Total fertility rate
1.97 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 107
Gross reproduction rate
0.96 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved:
total: 95.1% of population
unimproved:
total: 4.9% of population (2017)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 98.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 1.2% of population (2017)
Literacy
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2014)
Environment
Environment – current issues
scarcity of potable water; inadequate solid waste management; pollution from construction, chemical runoff, and sewage
Climate
tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 150 cm/year; hurricane season stretches from July to November
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 10.9% (2022 est.)
other: 89.1% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.16% annual rate of change (2020-25 est. est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Country of Sint Maarten
conventional short form: Sint Maarten
local long form: Land Sint Maarten (Dutch)/ Country of Sint Maarten (English)
local short form: Sint Maarten (Dutch and English)
former: Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies
etymology: explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the island in 1493 after Saint MARTIN of Tours because he visited on 11 November, the saint’s feast day
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Dependency status
part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 2010; Dutch government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Capital
name: Philipsburg
geographic coordinates: 18 1 N, 63 2 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: founded and named in 1763 by John PHILIPS, a Scottish captain in the Dutch navy
Administrative divisions
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
note: Sint Maarten is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three are the Netherlands, Aruba, and Curacao
Legal system
based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law influence
Constitution
history: previous 1947, 1955; latest adopted 21 July 2010, entered into force 10 October 2010 (regulates governance of Sint Maarten but is subordinate to the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
amendment process: proposals initiated by the Government or by Parliament; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority of the Parliament membership; passage of amendments relating to fundamental rights, authorities of the governor and of Parliament must include the “views” of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Government prior to ratification by Parliament
Citizenship
see the Netherlands
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor Ajamu G. BALY (since 10 October 2022)
head of government: Prime Minister Luc MERCELINA (since 3 May 2024)
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the governor
elections/appointments: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch for a 6-year term; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party usually elected prime minister by Parliament
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament of Sint Maarten
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 15 (directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 1/11/2024
parties elected and seats per party: NA (4); UPP (3); URSM (2); DP (2); PFP (2); NOW (2)
percentage of women in chamber: 46.7%
expected date of next election: 2028
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba or “Joint Court of Justice” (consists of the presiding judge, other members, and their substitutes); final appeals heard by the Supreme Court in The Hague, Netherlands
judge selection and term of office: Joint Court judges appointed by the monarch serve for life
subordinate courts: Courts in First Instance
Political parties
Democratic Party or DP
National Alliance or NA
National Opportunity Wealth or NOW
Party for Progress or PFP
Sint Maarten Christian Party or SMCP
Unified Resilient St Maarten Movement or URSM
United People’s Party or UPP
United Sint Maarten Party or US Party
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Sint Maarten; the Consul General to Curacao is accredited to Sint Maarten
International organization participation
Caricom (observer), ILO, Interpol, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO
Independence
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
National holiday
King’s Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note – King’s or Queen’s Day are observed on the ruling monarch’s birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday; local holiday Sint Maarten’s Day, 11 November (1985), commemorates the discovery of the island by COLUMBUS on Saint Martin’s Day, 11 November 1493; celebrated on both halves of the island
Flag description
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and blue, with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays the national coat of arms with an orange-bordered blue shield that prominently displays the white courthouse in Philipsburg, as well as yellow sage (the national flower) in the upper left and the silhouette of a Dutch-French friendship monument in the upper right; over the shield is a yellow rising sun and a brown pelican in flight; a yellow scroll below the shield has the motto SEMPER PROGREDIENS (Always Progressing)
note: the flag resembles Philippines’ flag, but with the red and blue bands reversed; the three main colors are the same as the Dutch flag
National symbol(s)
brown pelican, yellow sage (flower)
National colors
red, white, blue
National anthem
name: O Sweet Saint Martin’s Land
lyrics/music: Gerard KEMPS
note: the song, written in 1958, is used as an unofficial anthem for the entire island (both French and Dutch sides); as a collectivity of France, in addition to the local anthem, “La Marseillaise” is official on the French side (see France); as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the local anthem, “Het Wilhelmus” is official on the Dutch side (see Netherlands)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, tourism-based Dutch autonomous constituent economy; severe hurricane- and COVID-19-related economic recessions; multilateral trust fund helping offset economic downturn; no property taxation; re-exporter to Saint Martin
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.919 billion (2023 est.)
$1.849 billion (2022 est.)
$1.684 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 202
Real GDP growth rate
3.8% (2023 est.)
9.8% (2022 est.)
4.58% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 85
Real GDP per capita
$44,900 (2023 est.)
$43,900 (2022 est.)
$40,500 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 52
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.628 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2.2% (2017 est.)
0.1% (2016 est.)
0.3% (2015 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 71
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
industry: 6% (2021 est.)
services: 89.3% (2021 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 9; industry 210
Agricultural products
sugar
Industries
tourism, light industry
Industrial production growth rate
0.46% (2021 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 140
Remittances
2.95% of GDP (2023 est.)
3.16% of GDP (2022 est.)
3.44% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Current account balance
-$116.693 million (2023 est.)
-$56.984 million (2022 est.)
-$311.463 million (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 98
Exports
$1.504 billion (2023 est.)
$1.375 billion (2022 est.)
$790.938 million (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 172
Exports – partners
Antigua & Barbuda 28%, USA 16%, France 12%, Netherlands 8%, Morocco 7% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
scrap iron, ships, jewelry, flavored water, liquor (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$1.489 billion (2023 est.)
$1.32 billion (2022 est.)
$1.003 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 185
Imports – partners
USA 82%, Netherlands 7%, France 4%, Brazil 1%, Switzerland 1% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
jewelry, refined petroleum, ships, pearl products, diamonds (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Exchange rates
Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
1.79 (2024 est.)
1.79 (2023 est.)
1.79 (2022 est.)
1.79 (2021 est.)
1.79 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Communications
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 68,840 (2012 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 196 (2012 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 200
Internet country code
.sx; note – IANA has designated .sx for Sint Maarten, but has not yet assigned it to a sponsoring organization
Internet users
percent of population: 89.5% (2022)
Transportation
Airports
1 (2025)
comparison ranking: 233
Ports
total ports: 2 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 2
very small: 0
ports with oil terminals: 1
key ports: Coles Bay Oil Terminal, Philipsburg
Military and Security
Military and security forces
no regular military forces; Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) (2025)
note: the KPSM is supported by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Gendarmerie), the Dutch Caribbean Police Force (Korps Politie Caribisch Nederland, KPCN), and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (DCCG or Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied (KWCARIB))
Military – note
defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 3 — Sint Maarten does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Sint Maarten remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/sint-maarten/
