Christopher Columbus discovered the island on Saint Martin's Day, November 11, 1493. Throughout its history, the island was coveted, captured, and exchanged between privateers, Spanish, English, French, and Dutch forces. The Treaty of Concordia divided the island between France and the Netherlands in 1648, but pillaging and restitutions continued until 1816.
Saint Martin is a popular destination for American and European tourists who come here for the beauty of its beaches and crystal-clear waters. Nature lovers are drawn to the excursion to the highest point of the island, Pic Paradis, which has contributed to the development of eco-tourism. Scuba diving, sailing, surfing, kiteboarding, jet-skiing, boating, and fishing fulfill all desires for escape, with magnificent reefs and turquoise lagoons. Caribbean gastronomy and culture are also celebrated on the island.