What ethnicity are people from St Maarten?

As St Maarten was part of the Netherlands Antilles between 1954 and 2010, you will find many people of Aruban, Curacaolean, Anguillian, Saban and Statian descent on St Maarten. The same also applies to people from Dutch speaking Surinam, as well as people born in the European Netherlands.



The people of St. Maarten (the Dutch side) and Saint Martin (the French side) represent a diverse "melting pot" of ethnicities, reflecting the island's colonial history and its status as a Caribbean crossroads. The majority of the population is of Afro-Caribbean descent, with roots primarily in West Africa via the transatlantic slave trade. However, because the island is divided between the Netherlands and France, there are significant minorities of European (Dutch and French) ancestry. Additionally, the island's booming tourism industry has attracted a large immigrant population, leading to vibrant communities of Indian, Chinese, Lebanese, and Hispanic (specifically Dominican and Haitian) ethnicities. This mix is reflected in the island's "Antillean" culture, where English is the primary language spoken on the Dutch side despite its official Dutch status. In 2026, the people of St. Maarten identify strongly as "SXMers," a unique cultural identity that blends these various global influences into a singular, hospitable island community.

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km (37 sq. miles), about half the area of Washington, D.C. An island divided between the Netherlands and France, St. Maarten (Sint Maarten) is the Dutch half, and St. Martin is French.

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Signing of the Treaty of Concordia So the island was split into two parts and shared by France and Holland. The French occupied the northern part (20 mi?), the Dutch the southern part (13 mi?). As history tells it, the dividing line was determined by two walkers, a Frenchman and a Dutchman.

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Maarten is generally considered a safe place to visit, but as with any tourist destination there are some general safety precautions you should take. St. Martin is one of the safest warm weather climate (outside US) locations to visit.

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Maarten is known for its exciting nightlife where the guava berry liqueur flows, and the casinos invite you in for a night of luck.

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Martin is a must-visit. Its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and fusion of French and Dutch cultures create a unique experience. The island's charm, warm hospitality, and diverse activities make it well worth the trip.

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Why the two spellings? Well, this 37-square-mile-island is governed by both France and the Netherlands. The French side of the island refers to itself as Saint Martin, while the Dutch side is known as Sint Maarten.

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Between 1627 and 1631, Holland decided to send settlers to St. Martin, to exploit the island's natural salt reserves. The French and the Dutch signed the Treaty of Concordia, also known as the Partition Treaty, on March 23, 1648. So the island was split into two parts and shared by France and Holland.

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Sint Maarten is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean. The country is 16 miles² (41 km²) and occupies the southern part of an island shared with the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin.

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