Saint-Barthélemy
From Freepedia
- For other uses, see Saint-Barthélemy (disambiguation).
Saint-Barthélemy is a French island located in the Caribbean at 17°54′ N 62°50′ W, among the Leeward Islands. Its land area is 21.0 km² (8.1 sq. miles). Administratively, the whole island of Saint-Barthélémy is a French commune (commune de Saint-Barthélémy) part of Guadeloupe, which is an overseas région and overseas département of France, and therefore part of the European Union. The island is also known as Saint Barts, Saint Barths, or Saint Barth. In 2003 the population voted in favour of secession from Guadeloupe in order to form a separate overseas collectivity of France. However, as of the end of 2005 Saint-Barthélémy is still part of the région and département of Guadeloupe.
At the 1999 census, the population of Saint-Barthélémy was 6,852 inhabitants, which means a population density of 326 inh. per km².
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History
Saint-Barthélemy was first claimed by the French in 1648, and except for a century as a Swedish colony between 1785 and 1878, it has remained in French hands.
Geography
Located approximately 150 miles east of Puerto Rico, it lies near the islands of Saint Martin, Saba, and Anguilla.
Gustavia, which is the main town of the island, was named after King Gustav III of Sweden, and remains as a reflection of the Swedish period.
Transportation
Saint Barts has a small airport (IATA identifier SBH) that is served by small regional commercial aircraft and charters. Most visiting aircraft carry less than twenty passengers, such as the Twin Otter, a common sight around Saint Barths and throughout the northern West Indies.
Miscellaneous
Most hotels in Saint Barts are small and exclusive, but private villas are also available. There are no timeshares.
It is rumored that Jimmy Buffett wrote "Cheeseburger in Paradise" at now famous Le Select, a restaurant and bar located in Gustavia.
See also
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