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| St Barthelemy / St Barts Travel Guide |
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| Welcome to St Barthelemy on the Paradise Islands website. The island name is abbreviated to Saint Barth in French and St Barts or St Barth's in English. St Barts is a French overseas collective territory (independent territory) together with Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint Martin which collectively make up the "French West Indies" which are all located in the Caribbean Leeward islands group. It is thought that the island was named by Christopher Columbus after his brother 'Bartholomeo'. |
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St Barts is a small volcanic island around 8 square miles with a population of just under 9,000. It is 160 miles east of Puerto Rico and south of the Virgin islands. The highest point is Morne Vitet at 286 metres above sea level.
The capital and attractive natural harbour on St Barts is Gustavia. Here you will find a small number of shops including some up-market boutiques, restaurants, a luxury hotel and often a number of super yachts berthed in the port. Gustavia has three forts built in the 17th century to protect the harbour: Oscar (formerly called Gustav Adolf), Karl Fort and Gustav Fort.
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| Like most of the Caribbean, St Barts is a popular tourist destination; albeit quite exclusive, with around 70,000 annual visitors staying over night. The vacation market is predominately high-end tourism with luxury hotels and villas and many of the locals enjoy a prosperous and high standard of living compared with much of the region. Fantastic beaches, an attractive harbour, high end boutiques and gourmet dining bring in the rich and famous during the winter months. |
| Air passengers arrive via the Princess Juliana Airport on Sint Maarten and onwards via a local connecting flight to St Barts Gustaf III airport which is located on the north east coast. Gustaf airport can only handle small regional commercial aircraft with a 650 metre runway. |
| Travel, holiday, vacation and cruise guide to St Barthelemy and the Caribbean. All text and images are Copyright Paradise Islands org. All photographs on this Caribbean travel guide website are obtained with the permission of the owners and come from various sources including the islands tourist boards. |
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Quick Facts
Capital
Gustavia
Main Airport
Gustaf
Main Port
Gustavia
Language
French
Currency
Euro
Government
French
Dependent Territory
Island Size
8 Square Miles
Population
9,000
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Cruise Port Guide
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