World Factbook
Sint Maarten
Land Sint Maarten (Dutch)/ Country of Sint Maarten (English)
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and blue, with a white isosceles triangle based on the left side; the national coat of arms is in the center of the triangle, with an orange-bordered blue shield that displays the white courthouse in Philipsburg, as well as yellow sage (the national flower) in the upper left and the silhouette of a Dutch-French friendship monument in the upper right; over the shield is a yellow rising sun and a brown pelican in flight; a yellow scroll below the shield has the motto SEMPER PROGREDIENS (Always Progressing)
note: the flag resembles Philippines' flag, but with the red and blue bands reversed; the three main colors are the same as the Dutch flag
Capital
name
Philipsburg
etymology
founded and named in 1763 by John PHILIPS, a Scottish captain in the Dutch navy
time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
18 1 N, 63 2 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see the Netherlands
Constitution
history
previous 1947, 1955; latest adopted 21 July 2010, entered into force 10 October 2010 (regulates governance of Sint Maarten but is subordinate to the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
amendment process
proposals initiated by the Government or by Parliament; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority of the Parliament membership; passage of amendments relating to fundamental rights, authorities of the governor and of Parliament must include the "views" of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Government prior to ratification by Parliament
Country name
former
Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies
etymology
explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the island in 1493 after Saint MARTIN of Tours because he visited on 11 November, the saint's feast day
local long form
Land Sint Maarten (Dutch)/ Country of Sint Maarten (English)
local short form
Sint Maarten (Dutch and English)
conventional long form
Country of Sint Maarten
conventional short form
Sint Maarten
Independence
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Legal system
based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law influence
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba or "Joint Court of Justice" (consists of the presiding judge, other members, and their substitutes); final appeals heard by the Supreme Court in The Hague, Netherlands
subordinate courts
Courts in First Instance
judge selection and term of office
Joint Court judges appointed by the monarch serve for life
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the governor
chief of state
King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor Ajamu G. BALY (since 10 October 2022)
head of government
Prime Minister Luc MERCELINA (since 3 May 2024)
election/appointment process
the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch for a 6-year term; following legislative elections, the Parliament usually elects the leader of the majority party as prime minister
National holiday
King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967)
note: observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday; local holiday is Sint Maarten's Day, 11 November (1985), and is celebrated on both halves of the island
Dependency status
one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 2010; Dutch government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
note: the other three constituent countries in the Kingdom of the Netherlands are the Netherlands, Aruba, and Curacao
National color(s)
red, white, blue
Political parties
Democratic Party or DP National Alliance or NA National Opportunity Wealth or NOW Party for Progress or PFP Sint Maarten Christian Party or SMCP Unified Resilient St Maarten Movement or URSM United People's Party or UPP United Sint Maarten Party or US Party
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
15 (directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Parliament of Sint Maarten
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
1/11/2024
expected date of next election
2028
percentage of women in chamber
46.7%
parties elected and seats per party
NA (4); UPP (3); URSM (2); DP (2); PFP (2); NOW (2)
National anthem(s)
title
“Het Wilhelmus” (The William)
history
adopted 1932
lyrics/music
Philips VAN MARNIX van Sint Aldegonde (presumed)/unknown
National symbol(s)
brown pelican, yellow sage (flower)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
the US does not have an embassy in Sint Maarten; the Consul General to Curacao is accredited to Sint Maarten
International organization participation
Caricom (observer), ILO, Interpol, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO