Bi-nationality As A Strength

In the 17th century, it was not unusual to have colonies of settlers from different countries share the same island.

The French were established in French Quarter, on one side of the island, the Dutch on the other in Great Bay, there were no roads or any mean of transport for that matter, and the new colonies were only small, thus they did not get in the way of each other and rarely even met.

Bi-nationality was more convenient than not, particularly since the first pioneers on St. Martin – St. Maarten were mostly involved in trade.

PHOTO: Medieval Merchants;  Dr. MITCHELL IRVING Philip, “Changes in Medieval Commerce and Production” (art.), Medieval Resources, Dallas Baptist University, online on 09/07/2024 on <https://www.dbu.edu/mitchell/medieval-resources/economicchangesmedi>