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In St Martin the town St. Louis, above, was built in 1789 to defend
French settlers against invading British and pirate forces. The
French weren't the only island occupants, however. Legend has it
two earlier settlersóone Dutch, one Frenchómet in Oyster Bay and
paced around the island in opposite directions to divide it between
their countries. Thus, the island today is two separate nations
possessing distinct cultures and attractions. Dutch St. Maartin
offers more nightlife and bustling activity, while French St. Martin
is laid-back, and known for it's numerous superb restaurants. This
dual nature is not a traveling hassleóit's a bonus. The two cultures
have peacefully co-existed for nearly 350 years, and the 37-square-mile
island is readily accessible by rental car, bus, or taxi. You can
do it all in St. Martin/St. Maartin: shop, dine, play golf or tennis,
sunbathe, gamble, engage in all types of water sports, and even
take a quick trip to nearby islands. The only possible downside
is that the island is thoroughly developed and discovered. You may
be "doing it all" with a crowd.
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