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Saint Martin[saN mArtaN´] Pronunciation Key, Du. Sint Maarten, island, 37 sq mi (96 sq km), West Indies, one of the Leeward Islands. Since its occupation in 1648 by the Dutch and the French, it has been divided; the northern part (1999 pop. 29,078; 20 sq mi/52 sq km), with the capital at Marigot, belongs to French Guadeloupe, and the southern part (1989 est. pop. 29,500; 17 sq mi/44 sq km) belongs to the Netherlands Antilles. The chief town on the Dutch side is Philipsburg. Both towns are free ports. A hilly, scenic island provided with good harbors, St. Martin is a popular tourist resort.
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