Saint Barthelemy

Saint Barthelemy is an overseas collectivity of France located in the Caribbean.

Its capital, Gustavia, serves as the main harbour and the island uses the euro while French is the official language.

Geographically the volcanic island lies about 30 kilometres southeast of Saint Martin, north of the Dutch islands of Saba and Sint Eustatius, and north of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Enclosed by shallow reefs, it covers an area of 21 km² and sits at latitude 17.89618 N and longitude ‑62.84978 W.

Early European contact began when Christopher Columbus named the island in 1493. French settlement started in 1648 under the direction of Phillippe de Longvilliers de Poincy, with cacao cultivation and a brief Carib attack in 1656. In 1784 King Louis XVI transferred the island to Sweden, which declared Gustavia a free port and maintained control for nearly a century until an 1877 referendum restored French rule.

The island became a French commune of Guadeloupe, gained full French citizenship for its residents in 1946, and voted in 2003 to become a separate overseas collectivity. Modern tourism, spurred by a 1960s landing strip, transformed Saint Barthélemy into a luxury destination.

Population estimates vary; a recent official figure lists 8 450 inhabitants, while the January 2023 census recorded 10 660 residents.Source

Saint Barthelemy’s economy is driven by tourism and duty‑free trade

Saint Barthelemy is an overseas collectivity of France located in the Caribbean Sea. It occupies roughly 21 km² and is home to about 8,450 residents, with Gustavia as its capital.

The island’s volcanic foundation and surrounding shallow reefs create a natural harbour that attracts luxury yachts and high‑spending visitors, shaping a tourism sector focused on upscale villas, boutique hotels and duty‑free retail. In 2014 the nominal GDP was estimated at 367 million euros, yielding a per‑capita output of 38,994 euros—among the highest in the Caribbean region source.

Approximately 200,000 tourists arrive each year, split between hotel guests and visitors who come by boat, sustaining a construction boom for luxury accommodation and supporting a niche market for handcrafted goods such as palm‑woven hats in Corossol. The reliance on imported food from France and the United States reflects the island’s limited agricultural capacity, while the euro serves as the official currency, reinforcing its integration with the French economy.

Saint Barthelemy: Key Facts and Information

Saint Barthelemy, officially known as Saint Barthelemy, is an overseas collectivity of France located in the Caribbean. The island has a capital named Gustavia.

Geography and Climate

Saint Barthelemy is situated approximately 30 kilometres southeast of Saint Martin. It is a volcanic island fully encircled by shallow reefs, with an area of 21 square kilometres.

• The island's coordinates are latitude 17.89618 and longitude -62.84978.

Economy and Culture

The economy of Saint Barthelemy is primarily based on tourism and duty-free retail, with the official currency being the Euro. The island has a population of 8450 and features a mix of French culture and Caribbean influences.

• The population was 8450.
• The official language is French.
• The currency used is the Euro.

Saint Barthelemy is an overseas collectivity of France located in the Caribbean Sea.

Its capital, Gustavia, sits on a volcanic island covering 21 km².

Saint Barthelemy lies about 30 kilometres southeast of Saint Martin, northeast of the Dutch islands of Saba and Sint Eustatius, and north of Saint Kitts and Nevis source. The island’s coordinates are 17.89618° N latitude and –62.84978° W longitude source. With a population of roughly 8,450 residents, the community is small but densely settled, and the official language is French.

The territory uses the euro (EUR) as its currency and is identified by the ISO codes BL (alpha‑2) and BLM (alpha‑3). Although part of the North American region, Saint Barthelemy is culturally French Caribbean, reflected in its cuisine, festivals, and architecture.

Safety Overview

Saint Barthelemy, an overseas collectivity of France in the Caribbean, has a small area of 21 km² and a population of about 8,450 residents.

The island's safety situation can be considered in the context of its geographic location and administrative status. As part of the French West Indies, Saint Barthelemy is influenced by French laws and regulations.

The island has a capital, Gustavia, which contains the main harbour. Saint Barthelemy has a history of being a Swedish colony and has retained some cultural influences.

For detailed and up-to-date safety information, consult official French sources, such as the Ministry of the Interior or the French Consulate in Saint Barthélemy.

More information about the island can be found on Saint Barthélemy’s Wikipedia page and GeoNames record for Saint Barthelemy.

Saint Barthelemy is an overseas collectivity of France situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is a volcanic island completely encircled by shallow coral reefs.

Saint Barthelemy occupies a strategic position in the northeastern Caribbean

The island lies roughly 30 kilometres (19 mi) southeast of Saint Martin, to the northeast of the Dutch islands of Saba and Sint Eustatius, and north of the independent nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. This placement makes it part of the French West Indies within the broader North America region.

Official statistics record an area of 21 km², while other references note a slightly larger figure of 25 km². The terrain is of volcanic origin, rising modestly from the surrounding reef‑protected waters and forming a natural basin that shelters the main harbour.

Geographic coordinates are 17.89618° N latitude and –62.84978° W longitude. The capital, Gustavia, anchors the principal port and serves as the administrative centre of the collectivity.

Population figures differ between sources: the most recent official count lists 8,450 residents, all French citizens, whereas a January 2023 census recorded 10,660 inhabitants. French is the official language, the euro (EUR) is the currency, and the ISO codes are BL (alpha‑2) and BLM (alpha‑3).

The encircling shallow reefs create a diverse marine ecosystem that has historically provided safe anchorage and supported a vibrant trade environment. Their presence continues to shape the island’s coastline and tourism appeal.

• Capital: Gustavia
• Area: 21 km² (official) / 25 km² (alternative source)
• Population: 8,450 (official) / 10,660 (2023 census)
• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Official language: French
• ISO 2 code: BL
• ISO 3 code: BLM
• Region: North America

For a comprehensive overview, see the Wikipedia entry or the GeoNames record.