St. Barts
facts


Whether you call it St. Barts, St. Barths, or St. Barthelemy, there is no disputing that this tiny island in the French Antilles is one of the most ritzy and luxurious cruise destinations in all the world. You will not find a land rich in architecture, bargain shopping, and enormous hotels and resorts. Instead, you will find an island that is tremendously popular with the world's rich and famous, due to the fact that you will enjoy beautiful, tranquil beaches, world-class dining, and unrivaled relaxation and comfort.

St. Barthelemy was discovered in 1493 by the explorer Christopher Columbus. Its descendents are a mix of French and Swedish. The island hosts a very small local population; numbering just over 3,000, they inhabit a land that is merely 8 square miles in area.

St. Barthelemy gained its popularity as an elite tourist destination partly in response to the modern nobles of the 20th century who made this land their winter getaway. You can visit the home of David Rockefeller, who inhabited the northwest corner of the island. Edmond de Rothschild and other members of his famed family used to come here frequently as well. Today, stars such as Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and the late John F. Kennedy Jr. have come here to unwind from the "rigors" of their everyday lives.

St. Barts only town is the tiny capital of Gustavia. Here, you will feel as if you are strolling through a miniature fantasyland, with tiny European homes and businesses dotting the capital's landscape. Here in Gustavia, you will find many fabulous restaurants serving a variety of world cuisines, as well as ritzy shopping venues to satisfy your desire for exotic clothes, jewelry, and much more.

Yet above all, the main draw of St. Barts is still its glorious beaches. Enjoy your day on this island by relaxing on one of 14 public beaches (all the beaches in St. Barts are public). Clothing is optional, and the scenery is spectacular.

Geography
St. Barts is located at 18 degrees North, and 63 degrees West in the northeastern corner of the Caribbean Sea, 125 miles east of Puerto Rico. Steep hills divide this 8 sq. mile island into several valleys, usually open at one side to the sea. There is one town and about a dozen villages on St. Barts. The shoreline includes 14 beaches, many protected from ocean swells by a fringing reef. There is relatively low rainfall and year-round temperatures range from 72 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

History
This island was first inhabited by the Ciboneys, then the Arawaks and later the Caribs. Columbus arrived on the island in 1493 and named it after his brother. It was settled around 1648 by the French and was sold in 1651 to the Knights of Malta. In 1665 it was sold to the West Indian Company. In 1785 the island was handed over to Sweden in exchange for trading rights in Gotenburg. The British occupied the island in 1801-02. Slavery was abolished in 1847 and the island reverted to French rule in 1878.

Economy
Tourism is the main economic activity. Many of the locals make their living from sailing activities and from weaving straw baskets and hats for sale to tourists. Its port is usually very busy with yachts, boats and schooners.

People & Culture
Most of the people of St. Barts are French-speaking descendants of the first Norman, Breton and Poitevin settlers and is the only island in the Caribbean with some stains of Swedish blood. The people of St. Barts are hardworking, mild-mannered and spiritual. Many of the males on the island make their living as sailors.