In September 2017, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in the history of the Caribbean named Irma caused enormous damage to the island called Saint Martin (French: Saint-Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten). The island was visited by French President Emmanuel Macron and King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander. The aim of the article is to discuss the systemic characteristics of the island which has two names and a double nationality – French and Dutch.
Saint-Martin is a French-dominated community in Lesser Antilles. The other, southern part of the island, named Sint Maarten, belongs to the Netherlands Antilles. The author discusses the political structure of both parts of the island, putting more emphasis on the systemic reforms in Sint Maarten. Since 10 October 2010, the Kingdom of the Netherlands has been consisting of four constituent states: the European Netherlands, the three islands of Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten. Three more islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba have been granted the status of special municipalities, also known as overseas municipalities, and entered directly into the European Netherlands. Currently, they are called the Caribbean of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist as a separate state structure. Currently, this name is used only for the entire geographical area belonging to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
