Primary school

Division of traffic on Sint Maarten

In the previous lesson we read how clever and resourceful people were. With simple means of transportation they moved from one place to another. They had vehicles for the air, for the water and for the land. This is why we are going to divide traffic into three groups:

1. Air traffic
2. Water traffic
3. Land traffic

1. Air traffic on Sint Maarten

For transportation through the air we use, for example, airplanes, helicopters and rockets. On Sint Maarten you regularly see airplanes landing at Princess Juliana International Airport — one of the most famous airports in the Caribbean, known for planes flying just above the beach at Maho. These are mostly tourist flights from the Netherlands, the United States and other Caribbean islands. Small charter planes also fly tourists to neighboring islands like St. Barths, Anguilla and St. Kitts.

Helicopters are sometimes seen flying over the island, especially for emergencies or special transports. For fun, some people enjoy parasailing above the coast of Sint Maarten — a kind of parachute pulled along by a boat.

2. Water traffic around Sint Maarten

For transportation over water, people use vessels. Around Sint Maarten you see many different kinds of boats. Large cruise ships carrying thousands of tourists dock at the port in Philipsburg. Cargo ships also bring goods to the island that we find in our stores.

Off the coast you see boats taking tourists to snorkeling and diving spots. Sailboats belonging to tourists are moored in the marina, and local fishermen use small motorboats to fish. Water taxis connecting the Dutch and French sides of the island, as well as ferries to neighboring islands, are also important means of transportation that operate daily.

3. Land traffic on Sint Maarten

Motorized vehicles, non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians all belong to land traffic. On Sint Maarten you see many cars, taxis and minibuses, which are a popular and affordable way to get around the island. Vehicles travel on all the roads of the island, from Philipsburg to Cole Bay and from Simpson Bay to the French Quarter.

Non-motorized vehicles are mainly bicycles and the new fat bikes. Many students cycle to school every day. Pedestrians can be found everywhere: tourists walking through Philipsburg, children on their way to school, and people walking to the store.

Tourists in rental cars form a special group — they do not always know the roads well and may drive slowly or make unexpected turns.

Modern developments

Looking at modern developments, various combinations will be possible in the future. We already have amphibious vehicles that can travel both on land and in water. On Sint Maarten this would be very handy for driving straight from the beach into the water! Amphibious aircraft, which can land and take off on both land and water, would also be practical for an island like ours.

Amphibious vehicles can travel both on land and in water.

Amphibious aircraft can take off and land on both land and water.