GENERAL
Capital
Philipsburg.
Geography
Politically speaking, St. Maarten is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but until October 2010 it belonged to the Netherlands Antilles; Geographically, St. Maarten is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean and occupies the southern part of an island in the Lesser Antilles, the north of which belongs to Guadeloupe and is called St. Martin. This island is 8 km south of Anguilla, 232 km east of Puerto Rico and 56 km north of St. Eustatius. St. Maarten consists of forested mountains that rise from the white sandy beaches towards the interior of the island. In the west the mountains give way to blue lagoons and salt flats. For information on the northern part of the island s. Guadeloupe.
Government
Constitutional parliamentary-democratic monarchy. After the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, a new constitution was passed in 2010. St. Maarten is now an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as is Curaçao, and is comparable to Aruba. The former Netherlands Antilles, Aruba and the Netherlands, as autonomous regions with internal self-government, have the same status within the Dutch Kingdom. The Dutch king is represented by a governor. Foreign and defense policy are decided by the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom. The parliament (states) of the islands is responsible for domestic political legislation. The routine affairs of St. Maarten are carried out by the Island Council under the supervision of the Lieutenant Governor.
Head of state
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, since April 2013, represented by the governor he appointed Eugene Holiday, since 2010.
Head of government
William Marlin, since November 2015.
Electricity
110/220 V, 60 Hz. Most hotels have 110 V, 60 Hz. On the French side there is only 220 V, 60 Hz.
Time zone
Atlantic Standard Time: CET -5
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
KLM (KL) offers flight services to St. Maarten, as does Air France (AF). The government-owned Winair (WM) (Internet: www.fly-winair.com) based at Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) regularly flies to the Lesser Antilles. Winair also offers charter flights to all other Eastern Caribbean destinations.
St. Maarten is also served by United Airlines (UA), Air Canada (AC) and Delta Airlines (DL).
Departure fee
US $ 20 (excluding transit travelers and children under two years of age). US $ 6 for flights to the other islands of the former Netherlands Antilles.
Arrival by ship
Cruise ships from among others Holland America (website: www.hollandamerica.com) and Princess Cruises (website: www.princess.com) run regularly to the island.
There are ferry connections to Saba, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Barth and Anguilla.
ON THE GO
On the way by car / bus
Most of the roads are in good condition. You can get anywhere
with taxis. There are no taximeters, but the tariffs are fixed. After midnight, prices increase by 50%. There is a taxi rank in Wathey Square. Tips are not expected.
Minibuses run from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. There are regular bus connections between Philipsburg and Marigot.
Rental cars with and without a chauffeur are available at the airport and in the capital.
Documents: driver’s license from your own country.
Out and about by ship
Small boats can be rented for trips to the neighboring islands, for fishing, water skiing and diving.
MONEY
Currency
1 Antilles guilder = 100 cents. Currency abbreviations: NAf, ANG (ISO code). Banknotes are available in denominations of 100, 50, 25 and 10 ANG; Coins in denominations of 5, 2 1/2 and 1 guilder as well as 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
Note: The Caribbean guilder is to replace the current currency in the future. A date has not yet been set. The Antilles guilder is pegged to the US dollar and replaced the Netherlands Antilles florin on January 1, 2012.
French part: The official currency is the euro.
Credit cards
All major credit cards are accepted by car rental companies, hotels and restaurants. Details from the issuer of the respective credit card.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
EC cards with the Maestro symbol are accepted worldwide. ATMs are available in all banks and branches.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank customer card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the options for using their card from their bank prior to departure.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some banks are open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
Unrestricted import and export of national and foreign currency, obligation to declare from the equivalent of 20,000 ANG. Silver coins from the Netherlands and Suriname are not allowed to be imported.
French part: s. France.
Currency Exchange
All common foreign currencies can be exchanged in banks and exchange offices. US $ are also accepted as a method of payment.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official languages are Dutch and Papiamento (native dialect), French and English are also spoken. For information on the language in the northern part of the island see Guadeloupe.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following items can be imported into St. Maarten duty-free (people aged 18 and over):
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos (3 g each) or 50 cigars or 250 g tobacco;
1 liter of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of more than 22% or 2 liters of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of less than 22%;
50 g perfume or 50 cl eau de toilette;
Gifts up to a value of € 183.
Import regulations
If more than the specified amount is imported, the entire amount will be cleared. If the value of the imported items is more than 500 NAG, a customs declaration should be completed. A declaration is required from an equivalent value of US $ 10,000.
Leather goods and souvenirs from Haiti should not be imported.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Business meetings are quite formal. Light tropical suit or costume are appropriate. Appointments should be made in advance, great importance is attached to punctuality.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1.30 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
Economy
St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber of Commerce of the Windward Islands)
Cannegieter Street 11, PO Box 454, Philipsburg
Tel: (05) 42 35 90th
Business contacts
St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber of Commerce of the Windward Islands)
Cannegieter Street 11, PO Box 454, Philipsburg
Tel: (05) 42 35 90th
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Fully automated system with self-dialing remote service.
Cellphone
GSM 900. Network operator is Telcell NV (E-Mail: [email protected]). Cell phones can also be rented on site. East Caribbean Cellular operates digital and analog cellular networks (System B) (Internet: www.eastcaribbeancellular.com). The reception / transmission range is limited to St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Saba, the adjacent sea and the Anguilla Channel.
Internet
Main provider: TelNet (Internet: www.sintmaarten.net).
Post Office
Airmail to Europe is 4 weeks on the way, by sea 6 weeks. Postage stamps are available in stores where postcards can be purchased. Hotel receptions accept letters for a tip of around US $ 1.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Good selection in the duty free shops in Philipsburg. Shop opening times: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Many restaurants and bars offer live entertainment. There are casinos in the big hotels.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are over 40 hotels with almost 9,000 beds. Most hotels take care of everything from casinos to hairdressing salons to a wide variety of water sports facilities; even the smaller beach hotels offer i. General a swimming pool, restaurant and some water sports equipment. 5% tax and often 10-15% service charge are added to hotel bills. Some hotels also charge 10% extra for electricity. Further information from the hotel association: St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association, WJA Nisbeth Road 33a, PO Box 486, Philipsburg. Tel: (05) 42 01 08. (Internet: www.shta.com)
CULTURE
Religion
The majority of the population is Protestant, there are also Catholic and Jewish religious communities.
Social rules of conduct
Dutch customs and traditions, also reinforced by American influences. Light, casual cotton clothing is recommended. Somewhat more elegant clothes in the evening. Tips: Hotel bills always include 5% tax and sometimes 10-15% for service. Hotel porters, waiters and bar staff expect 10-15%. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
The high temperatures (annual average 27 ° C) are mitigated by the cool trade winds.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +1 721 Area (km2) 34 Population 37132 Population density (per km2) 1092 Population in 2014 Member of the EU No main emergency number 912