St. Maarten, a popular cruise-ship stop is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, an island country on the southern part of a Caribbean island shared with Saint Martin, a French overseas collectivity. The island of Sint Maarten or Saint Martin is the smallest land mass in the world to be shared by two different nations. Only 37 square miles are governed by France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The capital, Philipsburg, has cobblestone streets and colorful, colonial-style buildings lining its Front Street shopping area. Add dozens of beaches and lagoons, a mountain range, luxury hotels, elegant villas, and over 300 restaurants, you’ll understand why St. Martin is the most visited of all the Leewards.