Anyone who looks at a map of Europe can see that France and the Netherlands do not share a border – they are separated by Belgium.
However, head further afield across the Atlantic Ocean and you will find that the two countries do in fact share a 34-mile border, on the tiny Caribbean island of Saint Martin, or Sint Maarten in Dutch.
The 34-square-mile island is divided roughly 60:40 between the French Republic, with 20 square miles and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with 13 square miles.
Divided since 1648, the northern part is a French overseas collectivity, while the southern Dutch part is one of four constituent countries that form the kingdom.
Saint Martin is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean and is home to 37 beaches.
Even though the island is an overseas territory of two European Union member states, only the French part of the island is part of the EU.
Despite the fact that the Dutch part is smaller, it is far more populated than the French side. As of January 2019, the whole population was nearly 74,000, with over 41,000 living on the Dutch side and nearly 32,500 on the French side, according to a census that took place after the devastation of Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
The main cities are Philipsburg on the Dutch side and Marigot on the French side. The most populous settlement on the entire island is the Dutch Lower Prince’s Quarter.
French is spoken in government departments and schools on the French side, while Dutch is spoken in the other area, but English is also widely spoken across the island.
After both claiming the island in March 1648, the Kingdom of France and the Dutch Republic agreed to divide it between their two territories and created a formal border with the signing of the Treaty of Concordia. This remains in place today, and is one of the oldest treaties still in effect.
Later conflicts resulted in 16 border changes over the years, but the border has been stable since 1816.
There is, however, a current movement aimed at uniting the two halves of the island. A “Unity Flag” for representing this unification was created in 1990. Today it is hoisted on some houses and sometimes by churches and religious groups.
In August 2020, when restrictions and controls were added to the Saint Martin–Sint Maarten border to contain the spread of Covid-19 , some protesters against these measures flew this flag.
The Treaty of Concordia allows freedom of movement between both parts of the island, which has promoted a common sentiment among the island’s inhabitant. The freedom of movement, however, is a double-edge sword for campaigners pro-unification, as it is used by some to deem the formal unification unnecessary.
Known as the “island of 37 beaches”, tourists can enjoy a wide range of pristine beaches, with idyllic crystal-clear waters and rows of coconut palms and sparkling sand. Orient Bay on the French side is the largest beach on the island, lined with tiki huts, restaurants and colourful beach chairs. The half-moon shaped Mullet Bay on the Dutch side is also stunning, which is protected by a great snorkelling reef.
For those looking for exciting nightlife, it is recommended to stay on the more developed Dutch side, where one can find festivals, drinks made with native rum-based guavaberry liquors, and casinos. The French side, on the other hand, is known for its traditional French restaurants, clothing, outdoor markets and even its nude beaches.
But, thanks to the open border, tourists are free to explore both sides of the island at their leisure, with the enviable ability to explore the tastes of two countries in one.
