The island is divided, roughly 60/40, between France  and the Kingdom of the Netherlands  however, the Dutch side has the larger population. It is one of the smallest sea islands divided between two nations, a division dating to 1648. .

On January 1, 2009 the population of the entire island was 77,741 inhabitants, with 40,917 living on the Dutch side, and 36,824 on the French side.

Collectively, the two territories are known as “St-Martin / St Maarten”. Sometimes SXM, the  identifier for Princess Juliana International Airport (the island’s main airport).

As the story goes, The French and Dutch signed the famous partition agreement on Mount des Accords. (Concordia) on March 23 1648,

Prior to that of course they had to decide how the land would be divided. They thought that the best way to share the salt rich land was to compete for it.

It is said that a representative of both sides was chosen to do the honors.

The two then faced in opposite directions and started off from the east coast on the shorelines of the Island. Where ever they would meet would be the point at where the island would be divided.

The French ended up with twenty one square miles of the land while their Dutch counterparts only got sixteen square miles. It is also thought that the French was armed with his WINE while the Dutchman was in possession of GIN, thus the inability to significantly represent the Dutch team.

 

The truth of the matter is that Between 1648 and 1816, disagreements between the two nations resulted in the border being changed at least sixteen times.

http://www.discover-stmaarten.com/st-maarten-legend.html

 

There is a statue in the Marigot Marketplace on French St. Martin. The statue is called “The Market Woman” and has become not only the island’s most recognizable work of art but a symbol of St. Maarten, St. Martin itself. The statue was created by Marty Lynn .

In 1976, Marty and his artist wife Gloria moved to St. Martin from New York City with their family. Setting up their studio in Grand Case, the Lynn’s became central to the island’s artistic movement through their own works and through their help and support to other artists.

http://www.zimbio.com/St+Maarten+Vacation/articles/FwrXEC9VbIE/Market+Woman+Statue+Marigot