Sint Maarten
Dutch Caribbean island country / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sint Maarten (Dutch pronunciation: [sɪntˈmaːrtə(n)] ⓘ) is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean region of North America.[7] With a population of 41,486[1] as of January 2019 on an area of 34 km2 (13 sq mi), it encompasses the southern 44% of the divided island of Saint Martin, while the northern 56% of the island constitutes the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin. Sint Maarten's capital is Philipsburg.[8] Collectively, Sint Maarten and the other Dutch islands in the Caribbean are often called the Dutch Caribbean.
Sint Maarten | |
---|---|
Motto: | |
Anthem: "O Sweet Saint Martin's Land" | |
Royal anthem: "Wilhelmus" (English: "William of Nassau") | |
Sovereign state | Kingdom of the Netherlands |
Before separation | Netherlands Antilles |
Country status | 10 October 2010 |
Capital | Philipsburg 18°02′N 63°03′W |
Largest city | Lower Prince's Quarter |
Official languages | |
Religion |
|
Demonym(s) | Sint Maartener |
Government | Parliamentary representative democracy within a constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | Willem-Alexander |
• Governor | Ajamu Baly |
Luc Mercelina | |
Legislature | Parliament of Sint Maarten |
Area | |
• Total | 34[1] km2 (13 sq mi) (191th) |
Highest elevation | 383 m (1,257 ft) |
Population | |
• 2023 estimate | 42,938[2] (187th) |
• Density | 1,221/km2 (3,162.4/sq mi) (10th) |
GDP (PPP) | 2018 estimate |
• Total | $1.436 billion[3] |
• Per capita | $35,342[3] |
GDP (nominal) | 2018 estimate |
• Total | US$1.185 billion[4] |
Currency | Netherlands Antillean guilder (ƒ, ANG) is official; U.S. dollar (USD) and euro (EUR) also widely used[5][6] |
Time zone | UTC-4:00 (AST) |
Mains electricity | 120 V–60 Hz |
Driving side | right |
Calling code | +1-721 |
ISO 3166 code | |
Internet TLD | .sx |
Before 10 October 2010, Sint Maarten was known as the Island Territory of Sint Maarten (Dutch: Eilandgebied Sint Maarten), and was one of six (from 1986 five) island territories (eilandgebieden) that constituted the Netherlands Antilles.[8] Sint Maarten has the status of an overseas country; it is not part of the European Union, but is a member of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association.
On 6 and 7 September 2017, the island was hit by Category 5 Hurricane Irma, which caused widespread and significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.[8]