Saint Martin (French: Saint-Martin; Dutch: Sint Maarten) is an island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 190 miles east of Puerto Rico. The island is divided between France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.  It is one of the smallest sea islands divided between two nations.  The southern Dutch part comprises Sint Maarten and is one of four constituent countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands.  The northern French part comprises the Collectivite de Saint-Martin (Collectivity of St. Martin) and is an overseas collectivity of France.  The population of the entire island is approximately 77,000 inhabitants, with 66,000 living on the Dutch side, and 41,000 on the French side.  Collectively, the two territories are known as "St-Martin / St Maarten".

 

St. Martin's Dutch side is known for its festive nightlife, beaches, jewelry, exotic drinks made with native rum-based guavaberry liquors, and plentiful casinos.  The island's French side is known for its nude beaches, clothes, shopping, and rich French and Indian Caribbean cuisine.  English is the most commonly spoken language along with a local dialect.  The island is widely known for its hundred of gourmet restaurants on both sides of the island.  The official languages are French for Saint Martin, and both Dutch and English for Sint Maarten.  Other common languages include various French-based creoles (spoken by immigrants from other French Caribbean islands), Spanish (spoken by immigrants from the Dominican Republic and various South American countries), and Papiamento (spoken by immigrants from Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao).

 

The gay and lesbian scene on the island is not that noticeable, although St. Martin / St. Maarten overall is gay-friendly and popular with the LGBT crowd.  About.com and Gay.com ranked St. Martin / St. Maarten number 2 of the 5 top Caribbean destinations for gay travel.

 

Neighboring islands include Saint Barthelemy (French), Anguilla (British), Saba (Dutch), Sint Eustatius "Statia" (Dutch), Saint Kitts and Nevis (Independent, formerly British).  With the exception of Nevis, all of these islands are easily visible on a clear day from St. Martin.