Geography of Saint Martin : Discover

Discover Saint Martin : Geography

Geography

The West Indies constitute an archipelago with its islands spread out like beads on a rosary: larger ones to the north and smaller ones to the south, all facing Central America. They are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west. The West Indies are a mere 8 hour’s flight from Paris, separated from the capital of France by 7,260 km and are relatively close to North America, Central America (Mexico) and South America (Venezuela).

Saint Martin is situated in the centre of the West Indian arch, in the northern region of the Lesser Antilles. The island is of a small size, 15 km long and 13 km wide, its surface is mountainous yet calcareous, and is separated into two distinct parts: Terres Basses and Grande Terre, which are linked by two narrow strips of land enclosing the salty lake of Simpson Bay (also referred to as “the lagoon”). The island’s highest point is Pic Paradis (424m). The coastline is a series of beaches, coastal lagoons, rocky areas and mangroves, and the interior is characterised by many valleys, most of which are rather flat. Two inhabited islands: Tintamarre and Pinel can be perceived off the east coast.

Flora

Saint Martin is obliged to pay close attention to the preservation of its unique environment, due to strong industrial development and real estate construction. The natural balance of flora and fauna is continuously menaced by human activity, increasing tourism and delicate natural conditions. Saint Martin is a dry island, its plant life is characterised by the presence of cacti, especially in more barren and windy zones, slopes, volcanoes or cliffs exposed to the intense heat of the sun.

Remarkable trees

Coconut palm. Originally from South-East Asia, this palm tree is present in any exotic location, and is the most widely cultivated plant in the whole world. Its nut was most probably transported to these tropical regions by maritime activity. The tree is of multiple utility, as practically all its parts are used for some activity, as for example the coconut itself, which gives a white, solid substance called “coprah” from which palm acid is extracted and used for a variety of cosmetics and medicine.

Bougainvillea. . A lovely creeper imported from Brazil by Louis Bougainville, mostly present in coastal regions and used for the elaboration of hedges. Despite its appealing aspect, this thorny plant is a real obstacle for those attempting to jump the fence. Its flashy colours are not the feature of its pale flowers, but of the last leaves of its branches, referred to as “bract”.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima, also called “poincinia”, after M. de Poincil, a 17th-century governor in the West Indies, is a shrub originating from Madagascar, brought over to the West Indies by colonists similarly to a great number of other species. Its luxurious red blossom is in bloom during several months (from May to September), giving way to husks of 60 cm long in certain cases.

Manchineel (Hippomane mancinella). A plant genus of the family Euphorbiaceae, producing a milky sap which is extremely poisonous and can cause severe blisters. It has been grubbed in most coastal regions surrounding the beaches, but can still be found in some interior areas of the island. Most remaining trees are marked with a red sign or a small notice against danger. It can be recognized by its greyish bark, shiny green leaves and spikes of small greenish flowers. Its fruits are green or greenish-yellow when ripe. The trunk and leaves may also be dangerous, so be sure not to touch these plants when you see them, and never eat any of their fruit. It is also important not to seek shelter underneath the manchineel tree during a storm, as rainwater can carry the poisonous sap and consequently burn the unfortunate refugees. If you accidentally touch or eat any part of the tree, see a doctor immediately.

Almond trees, sea grapes, Spanish lime trees line the long beaches, and rocky areas are home to castor oil plants, whose poisonous seeds are used in the fabrication of medicinal oils.

Fauna

The majority of species present at the time of colonization have now disappeared from the islands, including manatees (sea cows), agoutis (rodents from the family of rats and rabbits) or the bothrops lanceolatus (a venomous snake, still present on Martinique and Guadeloupe). Endemic birds can be spotted from time to time, among them hummingbirds and other trochilidae, as well as blackbirds. The island’s birdlife is extremely rich, more than fifty different species of birds call Saint Martin their home, some sedentary, other migrating, their presence depending mostly on trade winds and hurricanes but also on human activity (tourism, demography).

The most well-known species of birds you can come across are frigatebirds, prairie warblers, egrettas, pelicans, seagulls, herons, blackbirds, though you need extreme calm and patience to be able to capture them on photo. Their natural habitat is around smaller lakes, in the mangrove and the forest.

You are also bound to enjoy the nightly concerts given by crickets and “cabrit-bois” (a kind of huge grasshopper, making a sound similar to that of a goat), accompanied by the croaking of frogs. Hummingbirds sway gently on hibiscus plants where they cohabit with vivid butterflies, ornamenting the flowers with their colourful wings. The beaches are home to lizards, anolis (a type of iguana) and crabs. Unfortunately you will also encounter some animals which are more of a nuisance: prepare yourself for the omnipresent mosquitoes and “ravets”, alias cockroaches.