Philipsburg, Netherlands Antilles
The Courthouse at Philipsburg
Nickname(s): Town
Map of the island Saint Martin/Sint Maarten
Coordinates: 18°00′20″N 63°06′24″W / 18.0056°N 63.1066°W / 18.0056; -63.1066
Country	Kingdom of the Netherlands
Constituent country	Netherlands Antilles
Island	Sint Maarten (the Dutch half)
Columbus landed	11 November 1493
Founded	1763 by John Philips
Population (2006)
- Total	1,338

Philipsburg is the main town on the Dutch side of the Netherlands Antilles island of Sint Maarten, on a narrow stretch of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond. It is also the capital of all of Sint Maarten and functions as the island's commercial center. As of 2006^[update], it has 1,338 inhabitants.

It was discovered by Christopher Columbus on 11 November 1493 but there was already an Arawak settlement there before he made the discovery. Philipsburg was founded in 1763 by John Philips, a Scottish captain in the Dutch navy, and soon became a bustling centre of international trade. Two historic forts bear witness to Philipsburg's strategic importance in St. Maarten's history: Fort Amsterdam and Fort Willem. ^[1]

The main shopping district, Front Street, is in the heart of the city. Philipsburg has a port that is home to many cruise liners, ships like Celebrity Solstice, Crown Princess, Disney Magic, and in 2010 Oasis of the seas will call there.

[edit] Princess Juliana International Airport

World famous for its close-proximity photographs of landing aircraft, Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA: SXM, ICAO: TNCM), west of Philipsburg, has become for many a reason in itself to visit Sint Maarten.

Due to its short runway (2,180 metres, 7,200 ft), airplanes on approach for Runway 10 have to fly at unusual low altitudes, overflying mere 10-20 metres (30-60 ft.) over nearby Maho Beach.

Jet blast from departing aircraft is also another 'attraction' as it creates artificial waves, popular with windsurfers. However, jet blast is an actual hazard and people need to exercise caution; local authorities placed a warning on the airport's fence to warn people of the dangers of jet blast.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Philipsburg Jubilee Library, Public Library of St. Maarten

Coordinates: 18°01′44″N 63°02′41″W / 18.028967°N 63.044733°W / 18.028967; -63.044733

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