Saint Martin: the island shared by two nations

The only island in the world peacefully shared between two sovereign nations without any physical border, Saint Martin combines Caribbean beaches with a famous point of close approach landing.

A rental car is convenient to explore both sides of the island.

Maho Beach, a beach where airplanes land just meters above swimmers' heads, remains one of the world's most celebrated aeronautical experiences.

A few minutes away, the border between the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) and the French side (Saint-Martin), marked only by a road sign, remains the only open border of its kind in the Caribbean.

Continuing toward the French side, you visit Marigot, the French capital of the island, with local markets and restaurants offering Creole and French cuisine.

As evening arrives, Orient Beach, on the French side, comes alive with fish restaurants offering Caribbean sunset views.

Maho Beach, located right at the end of Princess Juliana Airport's runway, allows swimmers to stand just meters below landing aircraft, a unique worldwide experience that attracts photographers from every continent.

The island has been divided between France and the Netherlands since 1648 under a treaty never seriously disputed, making it the world's longest-lived example of peaceful territorial sharing between two nations.