All countries
Saint Barthelemy
parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France
In 1493, Christopher COLUMBUS named Saint Barthelemy for his brother Bartolomeo, but the island was first settled by the French in 1648. In 1784, France sold the island to Sweden, which renamed the largest town Gustavia after the Swedish King GUSTAV III and made it a free port; the island prospered as a trade and supply center during the colonial wars of the 18th century. France repurchased the island in 1877 and took control the following year, placing it under the administration of Guadeloupe.
Profile
CapitalGustavia
Population7K
Area25 km²
LanguageFrench (primary), English
Currencyeuros (EUR) per US dollar -
At a Glance
Population
7K
