Did You Know… The border of St. Maarten / St. Martin was adjusted in 2023?
Many know that St. Maarten / St. Martin is divided into a French and Dutch side. The monument of Concordia reminds residents and visitors that this division has already been in place since 1648. Less well known is the fact that the final border location was only agreed upon only in 2023, 375 years after the treaty of Concordia. Both on water and land, some parts of the exact border demarcations remained disputed since the division of the island. Though the 2023 border adjustments pertain only to some miles in length in total, it has interesting implications for some areas.
Take for example the Oyster Bay area. Legendary Captain Olivers’ hotel has been closed for a while and preparing for new heydays, but this will be from a new geographical perspective. Famous host Oliver Lange passed away in 2010, but more importantly, its famous binational character has been (somewhat) altered recently.
Many will remember the small international bridge connecting this French side hotel and its Dutch side restaurant on the bay. Electricity for the restaurant came from the other (Dutch) side of the bay through an underwater cable. That will not return, as after nine years of deliberation a “quadripartite” council has settled the border once and for all in 2023. The border now runs through the middle of the bay, making the former St. Maarten terrace a St. Martin one. In exchange, 7,000 square meters in disputed land was added to Dutch side St. Maarten.
Captain Olivers’ famous regatta hopefully returns – but ships might anchor in a different nation now, be it on the same spot!
Back to VISIT St Maarten / St Martin Main Page
Back to VISIT St Maarten / St Martin Blog Page
General Information About St Maarten / St Martin Page