Tucked away in the southeastern part of the island of Saint Martin, Philipsburg is the capital of the Caribbean island nation of Sint Maarten. This tiny port city is renowned as an attractive stop for many cruise ships as well as one of the Caribbean's best spots for duty-free shopping. Philipsburg comprises five parallel streets stretched along on a narrow piece of land running between Great Bay and the Salt Pond. The cobblestone streets are lined with quaint, pastel-coloured West Indian houses as well as countless shops, cafes, hotels and courtyards overflowing with flowers. The town also boasts a few Dutch colonial landmarks, including Fort Willem, built in 1801, and Fort Amsterdam, constructed nearly 200 years earlier.