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Holidays
/ Event Calendar
The French pre-Lenten Carnival, although not as large
as the Dutch side version, is never the less exciting
and fun. Taking place in the five days before Ash Wednesday
in Feb/March, the festivities feature the crowning of
a Carnival Queen, costume parades, dancing and music.
Naturally, July's Bastille Day is highly celebrated and
features a parade, sporting events and fireworks. November's
Concordia Day, named 'Sint Maarten Day' by the more proprietary
Dutch, marks the amicable coexistence of the two countries,
but the somber ceremony has less appeal to travelers than
Carnival. Come March, the annual Heineken Regatta sees
a multitude of boats out on the water, while in June the
feature is the Marlin Open de St. Martin invitational
tournament.
Public Holidays
1 January - New Year's Day
March/April - Good Friday
March/April - Easter Sunday
March/April - Easter Monday
1 May - Labor Day
40th day after Easter - Ascension Thursday
8th Monday after Easter - Pentecost Monday
14 July - Bastille Day
15 August - Assumption Day
11 November - Concordia Day
25 December - Christmas Day
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St.
Martin At A Glance
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Language:
Officially, French is the language of St. Martin and Dutch
in St. Maarten, but almost everyone speaks English, and
many speak Spanish as well. French Creole and Papiamento,
a Creole language of the Netherlands Antilles, is spoken
here locally, especially in the southern parts of the
island.
Government:
Sub-prefecture of Guadeloupe (an overseas départment
of France)
Capital:
Marigot
Climate:
St Martin is warm and humid, but tradewinds help temper
the humidity, especially from January to April. Temperatures
in the first half of the year usually hang around a balmy
28°C (83°F). It is driest between February and
April, with most rain falling between August and November.
The hurricane season for the region is June to November,
with most activity occuring in August and September.
Time Zone:
GMT/UTC -4
Electricity:
Electrical appliances run at 220 volts (50 Hz), following
the European standard, in St. Martin, and at 110 volts
(60 Hz), after the American standard, in St. Maarten.
Visitors to the island should bring the appropriate converters,
depending on where they plan on staying.
Currency:
Official currencies are the French Franc and Euro on the
french side. Prices are commonly posted in US Dollars
which ave accepted everywhere, as are most major credit
cards Most banks are equipped with ATM machines.
Driving:
Traffic is on the right, international signs. The island's
roads are not designed for speed.
Rentals:
Rental agencies are located at both airports and at the
major hotels. Motorcycles and mopeds are also available
for hire.
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