Legend has it that over 350 years ago, the Dutch and the French wished to draw a border on the island in a civilized manner. It was decided that a race should be held to determine how much land each nation could claim.
The French competitor had to follow the coastline to the North, the Dutchman had to walk South. Once they circumnavigated the island and met again, a line would be drawn between the starting point and the meeting point to define the border.
Both men choose beverages according to their culture: the Frenchmen a bottle of Red Wine, the Dutch a bottle of Genever (Dutch Gin). Obviously, quenching one's thirst with Gin will have a more significant negative impact on one's athletic performance than sipping some wine. The Dutch soldier discovered this when he met his more sober French competitor again: His gin induced slow-down cost the Dutch quite some territory. French St. Martin covers now two thirds of the 37 square mile island.
No matter what the legend, the 'Treaty of Concordia' is a reality and the oldest, still enforced international treaty - click here to read original text.
