My topic is that the island has a one source income Economy.
I am going to be focusing on the fact that history seems to be repeating. The
island was reliant on Salt Mines and Sugar Plantations when it was colonized.
These mines and plantation were worked by enslaved Africans, once slavery was
abolished the country fell into a hundred year depression that devastated the
island. Now the island and both countries seem to be making the same mistake
with using tourism as its main income. 
The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 but he never set foot on island, Claimed for Spain, Conceded to Dutch and French
Settlers by Spanish King. The French side goes by St. Martin and the Dutch go
by the spelling of St. Maarten. Smallest Island occupied by two countries.
Treaty of Paris was established to create the dividing line of the island,
though the line is imaginary and the French have just a bit more land.
On the Saint Martin
side of the island, the main language is French. On the Sint Maarten side
speaks Dutch from the Netherlands. The French side is known for its elegance and
the Dutch for being more casual.
Both sides rely on tourism to sustain their economy, and
this particular income makes up 85% of the total. Tourism is so large due to
the fact the island has many white sandy beaches, shores and bays with
lighthouses. The weather makes it an ideal place to visit all year long with it
being in the 80’s, but it suffers from hurricanes. It also has many beautiful
places to see exotic birds, animals, and floral life.
It has done what many countries have failed to do, co-exist peacefully without either side trying to be domineering for over 350 years. It has many cultures, and races throughout the island. The capitols of each side are Marigot for the French and Philipsburg for the Dutch side.
