Saint Martin (island)

Saint Martin (island), island in the West Indies, one of the Leeward Islands, between the islands of Anguilla and Saint-Barthélemy. The northern portion, called Saint-Martin, is a dependency of Guadeloupe, an overseas department of France; the southern portion, called Sint Maarten, is internally self-governed and is part of the Netherlands Antilles. Agriculture and industry are limited, but the tropical, breezy climate and natural beauty of Saint Martin attract many tourists. The main French town, Marigot, and the principal Dutch town, Philipsburg, are both free ports. The Dutch and the French simultaneously occupied the island in 1648 and on March 23 of that year they agreed to divide it. Area of the French possession, 52 sq km (20 sq mi); area of the Dutch section, 34 sq km (13 sq mi). Population of the Dutch portion of the island (1991) 33,459. Population of the French portion (1990) 28,518.