Saint Martin (French part)
Saint Martin (French part)
- Capital
- Marigot
- Population
- 38,659
- Region
- Americas
- Languages
- English, French, Dutch
This territory hosts a unique international anomaly at its open border with Sint Maarten, the Dutch side of the island. Following the Treaty of Concordia in 1648, it became the smallest landmass in the world shared by two sovereign nations. This peaceful coexistence is celebrated annually with a friendly ceremony at the border monuments, emphasizing a 'one island' identity despite separate administrations. Legend says the border was determined by a walking contest between a Frenchman drinking wine and a Dutchman drinking gin, which supposedly explains why the French side is larger.
Currency
The official currency is the Euro, denoted by the ISO code EUR. While it was adopted when Saint Martin became a French Overseas Collectivity, the island historically used the French Franc, which was originally introduced to the region during the colonial era.
Flag symbolism
The official flag flown in the territory is the French Tricolor, which consists of three vertical bands of blue, white, and red. The blue represents the historical liberties of France, the white signifies the clergy and the nobility, and the red symbolizes the blood of revolutionaries. Locally, an unofficial flag is often used featuring a blue and white field with a centered crest and a yellow 'V' shape. This unofficial design symbolizes the victory of tourism and the natural beauty of the island's coastline and interior mountains.
Emblem history
The coat of arms of Saint Martin features a red shield displaying a vibrant yellow sun and a brown pelican, which is the national bird of the island. Below these icons, a spray of yellow hibiscus flowers represents the territory's lush flora and botanical heritage. A central shield features a masonry crown atop a blue scroll inscribed with 'Ville de Saint Martin' to reflect its status as a French overseas collectivity. The emblem was modernized to emphasize the community's connection to the sea and its historical maritime defenses.