Saint Martin is an island located in the northeastern Caribbean, approximately 190 miles east of Puerto Rico. It is famously the smallest landmass in the world shared by two sovereign nations: the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The northern, larger portion (about 60% of the land) is the French Overseas Collectivity of Saint-Martin, while the southern portion is the Dutch constituent country of Sint Maarten. Despite being governed by two different European powers, there is no physical border, wall, or customs checkpoint between the two sides, allowing for the free movement of people and goods - a tradition of peaceful coexistence that has lasted for nearly four centuries.

The island’s division was formalized by the Treaty of Concordia, signed on March 23, 1648, atop Mount Concordia. According to local legend, the border was determined by a walking contest: a Frenchman and a Dutchman started at the same point and walked in opposite directions around the coast until they met; the French reportedly covered more ground because the Frenchman drank wine, while the Dutchman drank Jenever (gin), which slowed him down. More realistically, the French secured the larger northern area to protect their interests in neighboring Anguilla, while the Dutch kept the southern region to control the lucrative salt ponds and the strategic Great Bay harbor.

The French side, Saint-Martin, became a separate Overseas Collectivity of France in 2007, having previously been part of the department of Guadeloupe. It is an integral part of the European Union (EU) and uses the Euro (€) as its official currency. Its administration is led by a President of the Territorial Council and a Prefect appointed by the French government in Paris. Because it is part of the EU, French national laws apply here, and the territory receives significant structural funding from Europe. The capital, Marigot, retains a distinctly European atmosphere with its French bistros, luxury boutiques, and a traditional open-air market overlooking the bay.