The terrain is largely green, with more palms, hibiscus and cacti to ferns or forests, although there are a few thickly vegetated areas in the interior. Herons, egrets, stilts, pelicans, laughing gulls and other shorebirds are plentiful in the island's brackish ponds. Frigate birds can be spotted along the coastline, hummingbirds and bright yellow-bellied banana quits are common in gardens and there are colorful woodland birds in the hills.
Lizards are abundant and can be seen scurrying about on walkways and other sunny areas.
The island culture has its roots largely in African, French and Dutch influences, though scores of more recent immigrants, many of them have added their own elements to this multicultural society. Dutch is the official language, though in practice English is the first language spoken, Dutch the second. Most island-born people are multilingual and can speak English, French and Creole. There's also a sizable Spanish-speaking immigrant community, mainly from the Dominican Republic. Events Sint Maarten Carnival usually begins the second week after Easter and lasts for two weeks, with steel band competitions, jump-ups, calypso concerts, beauty contests and costume parades.