Two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and blue with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side. The center of the triangle displays the Sint Maarten coat of arms. The arms consist of an orange-bordered  blue shield prominently displaying the white court house in Philipsburg, as well as a bouquet of yellow sage (the national flower) in the upper left, and the silhouette of a Dutch-French friendship monument in the upper right. The shield is surmounted by a yellow rising sun in front of which is a brown pelican in flight. A yellow scroll below the shield bears the motto: SEMPER PROGREDIENS (Always Progressing). The three main colors are identical to those on the Dutch flag.

Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Google Earth

Colorful shops along a street in Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten.

Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Last updated on April 18, 2024

Government

According to Britannica, the Arawak and Carib inhabited the island before its sighting by Christopher Columbus on November 11, 1493, the feast day of St. Martin of Tours. It was claimed by several European powers, notably the Dutch and the French, who partitioned the island in 1648. The Dutch portion of the island became a part of the Dutch West Indies in 1828 and in 1845 was one of the six Dutch island territories in the West Indies that were brought under collective administration. In 1954 those six were reorganized into the Netherlands Antilles, becoming an integral part of the Netherlands politically with autonomy in their internal affairs. However, in 1986 one of the constituent members, Aruba, chose to leave the Netherlands Antilles and establish its own autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

In 1989 the political leadership of Sint Maarten announced its desire to achieve full independence as soon as possible, although eventually Sint Maarten chose to remain within the Netherlands with a status that allowed for a greater degree of autonomy. In 2006 the people of Sint Maarten agreed, along with the other islands and the government of the Netherlands, to dissolve the Netherlands Antilles; this occurred on October 10, 2010. Sint Maarten and Curaçao became, like Aruba, countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The head of state is the Dutch monarch, represented by a governor, and the head of government is the prime minister. A Council of Ministers, presided over by the prime minister, forms government policy. A minister plenipotentiary from Sint Maarten resides in the Netherlands and represents the country there at meetings of the Netherlands Council of Ministers. Sint Maarten has a unicameral Parliament (Staten), with 15 members (subject to increase up to 21 members, depending upon population growth) elected on the basis of proportional representation for a term of four years. Voting is open to all residents of Sint Maarten with Dutch nationality who are at least 18 years old. Sint Maarten is independent in internal affairs, but the government of the Netherlands is responsible for defense, foreign relations, and similar external matters. The judiciary consists of a Court of First Instance and a Common Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, both of which handle civil and criminal cases. The Supreme Court of the Netherlands is the court of final appeal.

Civil / National Aviation Authority (CAA/NAA)

Airspace

SkyVector – Google Maps – ADS-B Exchange

ICAO countries publish an Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). This document is divided into three parts: General (GEN), En Route (ENR) and Aerodromes (AD). ENR 1.4 details the types of airspace classes they chose to adopt from classes A through G.

Dutch Caribbean ANSP

Drone Regulations

Ministry restricts use of drones – The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation, and Telecommunications (TEATT) has placed restrictions on the use of drone aircraft in several areas such as the Princess Juliana International Airport, the Harbor, the House of Detention in Pointe Blanche, the Detention Center in Simpson Bay, TeLEm, St. Maarten Medical Center, The Fire Department in Cay Hill, the Court House in Philipsburg, the Coast Guard Offices, the Police Detention Center in Philipsburg, the Government Administration Building, the island utility company GEBE, SOL, and Texaco fuel farms in Cay Bay, the Parliament building, and the Central Bank building.

The Department of Civil Aviation, Shipping, and Maritime has designated key areas which are considered “no fly zones” for drones or other remotely operated aircraft. The areas include Maho Beach, Simpson Bay, Mullet Bay, and Kim Sha Beach. Exemptions and authorizations will only be possible for specific activities such as inspections, search and rescue operations, patrolling, and special promotional activities.

When using drones or remotely piloted aircraft, persons should take all the necessary precautions in flying them indoors or in areas where there are crowds or between houses since this could create additional safety risks for the pilot, the inhabitants, and the property. It is advised that pilots of remotely piloted aircraft should also use a spotter who could help in navigating safely.

Use of UAS/RPAS or Drones prohibited from no fly zones

Use of RPAS during the Heineken Regatta

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)

Short Essay Questions