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St. Martin
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St. Martin History
As with many islands in this region, the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin was settled by early Amerindians. The Dutch arrived and started a salt industry. Spanish and French settlers arrived as well and formed separate communities.
When the Spanish left, the French and Dutch groups signed a treaty in 1648 that set boundaries that served as a start of the separate political entities of St. Maarten and St. Martin.
Battles between the Dutch, the French and the British continued until 1816 when everything finally settled down. The abolition of slavery was the next significant event on the island after which the economy came to a standstill.
Today, its beautiful sand beaches, duty-free St. Martin shopping, gambling casinos and dual cultures attract many visitors.
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