The French and Dutch nations have coexisted peacefully on the island for three centuries. According to a colorful legend, the boundaries were established in a walking contest in 1648 in which the Frenchmen paced off the larger share of the island.Columbus had discovered and named the island in 1493, and in the 1630’s the French and Dutch both settled on the island. In the early days the island was a pirates’ haven with the island’s many coves and bays used as hiding places. It was in St. here that Peter Stuyvesant (the last Dutch governor of New York) lost his leg in a struggle with the Spanish in 1640.

As was the case with much of the Caribbean, the cultivation of sugar cane introduced slavery into the island. The French abolished slavery in 1848, and the Dutch slaves were emancipated 15 years later. After a prolonged depression, the island was declared a duty-free port in 1939. Today, tourism is the leading factor in the economy of this beautiful and multicultural island.

St. Martin, the French side of the island, has a different feel altogether. The hotels are quiet and laid-back and tend to be more secluded. It does, however, have some of the finest cuisine in all the Caribbean. Its capital, Marigot, is a quaint village that looks as though it were plucked from its place in the south of France and transplanted to the Caribbean. Be sure to take time to people-watch at one of the outdoor cafes that dot the marina area or visit the open-air market near the center of town. Duty-free shopping is an adventure in itself with fashionable boutique shops selling everything from designer clothing to fine jewelry and gifts.