Internet country code [time series]

.mf; note - .gp, the ccTLD for Guadeloupe, and .fr, the ccTLD for France, might also be encountered

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

FM 3 (2007)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: fully integrated access domestic: direct dial capability with both fixed and wireless systems international: country code - 590; undersea fiber-optic cable provides voice and data connectivity to Puerto Rico and Gudaloupe

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

euro (EUR); note - US dollar (USD) widely used

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The economy of Saint Martin centers around tourism with 85% of the labor force engaged in this sector. Over one million visitors come to the island each year with most arriving through the Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten. No significant agriculture and limited local fishing means that almost all food must be imported. Energy resources and manufactured goods are also imported, primarily from Mexico and the United States. Saint Martin is reported to have the highest per capita income in the Caribbean.

Exchange rates [time series]

euros per US dollar - 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84% (2000)

Imports - commodities [time series]

crude petroleum, food, manufactured items

Imports - partners [time series]

US, Mexico (2006)

Industries [time series]

tourism, light industry and manufacturing, heavy industry

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

85% directly or indirectly employed in tourist industry

Area [time series]

total: 54.4 sq km land: 54.4 sq km water: NEGL

Area - comparative [time series]

more than one-third the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

temperature averages 80-85 degrees all year long; low humidity, gentle trade winds, brief, intense rain showers; July-Novemeber is the hurricane season

Coastline [time series]

58.9 km (for entire island)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic du Paradis 424 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

fresh water supply is dependent on desalinization of sea water

Geographic coordinates [time series]

18 05 N, 63 57 W

Geography - note [time series]

the island of Saint Martin is the smallest landmass in the World shared by two independent states, the French territory of Saint Martin and the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 15 km border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 15 km

Location [time series]

island 300 km southeast of Puerto Rico

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Natural resources [time series]

salt

Capital [time series]

name: Marigot geographical coordinates: 18 04 N, 63 05 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight savings: +1 hour

Constitution [time series]

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Overseas Collectivity of Saint Martin conventional short form: Saint Martin local long form: Collectivity d'outre mer de Saint-Martin local short form: Saint-Martin

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

none (overseas collectivity of France)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (overseas collectivity of France)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by Prefect Dominique LACROIX (since 21 March 2007) head of government: President of the Territorial Council Louis-Constant FLEMING (since 16 July 2007) cabinet: Executive Council; note - there is also an advisory economic, social, and cultural council election: French president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council is elected by the members of the Council for a five-year term election results: Louis-Constant FLEMING unanimously elected president by the Territorial Council on 16 July 2007

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

the flag of France is used

Independence [time series]

none (overseas collectivity of France)

International organization participation [time series]

UPU

Legal system [time series]

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Territorial Council (23 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 and 8 July 2007 (next to be held July 2012) election results: percent of seats by party - UPP 49%, RRR 42.2%, Reussir Saint-Martin 8.9%; seats by party - UPP 16, RRR 6, Reussir Saint-Martin 1

National holiday [time series]

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); note - local holiday is Schoalcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) 12 July (1848)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Union Pour le Progres or UPP [Louis Constant FLEMING]; Rassemblement Responsabilite Reussite or RRR [Alain RICHARDSON]; Reussir Saint-Martin [Jean-Luc HAMLET]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age, universal

Background [time series]

Although sighted by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and claimed for Spain, it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 and set about exploiting its salt deposits. The Spanish retook the island in 1633, but continued to be harassed by the Dutch. The Spanish finally relinquished St. Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it amongst themselves in 1648. The cultivation of sugar cane introduced slavery to the island in the late 18th century; the practice was not abolished until 1848. The island became a free port in 1939; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded during the 1970s and 1980s. In 2003, the populace of St. Martin voted to secede from Guadeloupe and in 2007, the northern portion of the island became a French overseas collectivity.

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of France

Ethnic groups [time series]

creole (mulatto), black, Guadeloupe Mestizo (French-East Asia), white, East Indian

Languages [time series]

French (official language), English, Dutch, French Patois, Spanish, Papiamento (dialect of Netherlands Antilles)

Population [time series]

33,102 (October 2004 census)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Protestant, Hindu

Airports [time series]

1

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1

Transportation - note [time series]

nearest airport for international flights is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located in Sint Maarten