St Maarten occupies the southern sector, an area of wooded mountains rising from white sandy beaches. Beach activities and shopping at duty-free centres satisfy most tourists. Philipsburg, the capital and the only town of any size, is situated on a sand bar that separates Great Salt Pond, an tang or salt marsh, from the ocean. The shingled churches are worth seeing as are the ruins of several plantation mansions set in woodland outside the town. St Maarten's cuisine is as varied as its history, combining Dutch, French, English and Creole influences.
Seafood is a speciality.