Excerpt: St Maarten, Dutch West Indies
The two main streets paralleling the beach are Front and Back streets (in Dutch Voorstraat
and Achterstraat). Connecting them are little alleys called streegjes. Along Front Street
are numerous duty-free shops, casinos and modern hotels. Town Square lies in the center
with its Old courthouse and the Pier where cruise ship passengers disembark.
Philipsburg is the main town and capital of the country of Sint Maarten. The town is situated on a narrow stretch of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond. The island was first sighted by Christopher Columbus on 11 November 1493, but there was already an Arawak settlement there before his discovery. Philipsburg was founded in 1763 by John Philips, a Scottish captain in the Dutch navy; the settlement soon became a bustling centre of international trade. Two historic forts bear witness to Philipsburg's strategic importance in St. Maarten's history: Fort Amsterdam and Fort Willem. The main shopping district, Front Street, is in the heart of the city. Philipsburg also has a port that is visited by many cruise liners, ships like Celebrity Solstice, Crown Princess, Disney Magic, and since 2010, Oasis of the Seas.
My first card of the new year! The 155th territory/country in my collection. Yay!
Thank you Tom for this card from the otherside of this island! The smallest
island divided into two territories.
Sent: 27 November 2014 Received: 2 January 2015 Travelled: 36 days
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