The Arawak and Carib inhabited the island before its sighting by Christopher Columbus (Columbus, Christopher) in November 1493. It was claimed by several European powers—notably the Dutch and the French, who partitioned the island in 1648. The Dutch part of the island has coastal lagoons, salt pans, and sand spits. It became a part of the Dutch West Indies in 1828 and in 1845 became one of the original six (now five) island territories of the Netherlands Antilles. The capital is Philipsburg. The economy is based increasingly on tourism as the government encourages exploitation of the island's most valuable natural resources: its clean beaches and pleasant climate.

In 1989 the political leadership of Sint Maarten announced its desire to achieve full independence as soon as possible. In 2006 the people of Sint Maarten agreed, along with the other islands and the government of The Netherlands, to dissolve the Netherlands Antilles within the following several years. Sint Maarten and Curaçao would become autonomous countries within the kingdom of The Netherlands, similar in status to Aruba, which was formerly a part of the Netherlands Antilles. Area 13 square miles (34 square km). Pop. (2005 est.) 35,035.