Saint Barthélemy

For the Saint, see Bartholomew the Apostle. For other uses, see St. Bartholomew's (disambiguation).

Collectivity of Saint Barthélemy Collectivité de Saint-Barthélemy
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: La Marseillaise
Capital and largest city	Gustavia
Official languages	French
Local languages	Saint-Barthélemy French, Antillean Creole, English
Ethnic groups	European (90%), Mulatto, West African, Mestizo (French-East Asia)
Government	Dependent territory
• President of France	François Hollande
• Prefect	Philippe Chopin
• President of the Territorial Council	Bruno Magras
• Deputy	Victorin Lurel
• Senator	Michel Magras
Overseas collectivity of France
• French colony	1648
• Exchanged to Sweden	1 July 1784
• Sold to France	16 March 1878
• as separate Overseas Collectivity	22 February 2007
Area
• Total	21 km2 (8.1 sq mi) (not ranked)
• Water (%)	negligible
Population
• 2008 census	8,823
• Density	354.7/km2 (918.7/sq mi) (26th)
HDI (2003)	n/a  (n/a)
Currency	Euro (€) (EUR)
Time zone	UTC-4 (AST)
Calling code	590 (shared with Guadeloupe and Saint Martin for historical reasons)
ISO 3166 code	BL
Internet TLD	.bl assigned but not in use, .fr and .gp in use

Saint Barthélemy (Template:Lang-fr, French pronunciation: [sɛ̃baʁtelemi]), officially the Territorial collectivity of Saint Barthélemy (French: Collectivité territoriale de Saint-Barthélemy), is an overseas collectivity of France. Often abbreviated to Saint-Barth in French, or St. Barts (also, St. Barth's) in English, the indigenous people called the island Ouanalao.

The collectivity is one of four territories among the Leeward Islands in the northeastern Caribbean that comprise the French West Indies, along with Guadeloupe (200 km southeast), Martinique and Saint Martin. St. Barts lies about 35 km (21.75 mi) southeast of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin, and north of St. Kitts. Puerto Rico is 240 km (149.1 mi) to its west in the Lesser Antilles.

Saint Barthélemy, a volcanic island fully encircled by shallow reefs, has an area of 21 km² (8.1 mi²) and a population of 8,823 (census 2008). Its capital is Gustavia, which also contains the main harbour to the island. It is the only Caribbean island which was a Swedish colony for any significant length of time; Guadeloupe was under Swedish rule only briefly, at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Symbolism from the Swedish national arms, the Three Crowns, still appears in the island's coat of arms. The language, cuisine and culture, however, are distinctly French. The island is a popular tourist destination during the winter holiday season, especially the rich and famous during the Christmas and New Year period.

Etymology

The island was named by Christopher Columbus after his brother Bartholomeo.

History

Coastline of St. Barts

The ancient history of the island dates to about 1000 BC when the Ciboney people attempted to settle but left due to the lack of water, either for drinking or for practicing agriculture. It was much later, around 100 AD, that Arawak Indians started living on the island. They were pushed out by the Caribs around 800 AD. There have been archaeological finds, such as pottery and crude tools, related to the Carib existence on the island.

17th century

The first European colonisation of the island began in 1623 (settlers from Dieppe) when Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc, a private operator, established a company known as Compagnie de Saint-Christophe. With financial support from Cardinal Richelieu, d'Esnambuc established hegemony of the French in the Caribbean islands including St. Barts. For this purpose, the company brought over farmers from the French provinces of Normandy and Brittany. St. Barts was claimed by France in 1648. In 1651, when the Compagnie de Saint-Christophe found it difficult to survive in the arid conditions, they sold it to the Knights of Malta as it is still visible by the Maltese cross eight-pointed cross on the coat of arms. In 1656 the Caribs rebelled against the European settlers and killed some of them.

18th century

There was a very brief takeover by the British in 1758. The island was given to Sweden in 1784 in exchange for trade rights in Gothenburg. It was only after 1784, when King Louis XVI exchanged the island to Sweden, that the island's fortunes changed for the better. This change of control saw progress and prosperity as the Swedes declared Gustavia a free port, convenient for trading by the Europeans for goods, including contraband material. However, that prosperity was short-lived and the island returned to a lean period.

Historical quartiers (1801)

19th century

Slavery was practiced in St. Barts under the "Ordinance concerning the Police of Slaves and free Coloured People" of 1787. The last legally owned slaves in the Swedish colony of St. Barts were granted their freedom by the state on 9 October 1847. Since the island was not a plantation area, the freed slave suffered economic hardships due to lack of opportunities for employment.

In 1852, a devastating hurricane hit the island and this was followed by a fire. Following a referendum in 1877, Sweden gave the island back to France in 1878, after which it was administered as part of Guadeloupe. The Swedish period left its mark in the names of many of the streets and the town Gustavia (in honour of King Gustav III), and the presence of Sweden's national arms, the Tre Kronor in the island's coat of arms. Other heraldry include the Maltese cross, the Fleur-de-lis, the mural crown and two pelicans.

20th century

On 19 March 1946, the people of the island became French citizens with full rights. The island was placed together with St. Martin and Guadeloupe and Martinique, and given legal status as a Department of France. The population of St. Barts was relatively impoverished. Since economic support was not forthcoming from France, the island developed a special relationship with US Virgin Islands.

Many men from St. Barts took jobs on St Thomas in order to support their families. The island received electricity circa 1961. Tourism began in the 1960s, developed in the 1970s, and led to considerable international popularity beginning in the 1980s. Today the island is known for its exclusivity and posh tourism.

21st century

Through an referendum in 2003, island residents sought separation from the administrative jurisdiction of Guadeloupe, and it was finally accomplished in 2007. The island became an Overseas Collectivity (COM). A governing territorial council was elected for its administration, which has provided the island with a certain degree of autonomy. The Hotel de Ville, which was the town hall, is now the Hotel de la Collectivité. A senator represents the island in Paris. St. Barts has retained its free port status.

Geography

Map showing location of Saint Barts relative to Sint Maarten/Saint Martin and St Kitts.

A map of Saint-Barthélemy.

Located approximately 250 kilometres (160 mi) east of Puerto Rico and the nearer Virgin Islands, St. Barts lies immediately southeast of the islands of Saint Martin and Anguilla. It is separated from Saint Martin by the Saint-Barthélemy Channel. It lies northeast of Saba and St Eustatius, and north of St Kitts. Some small satellite islets belong to St. Barts including Île Chevreau (Île Bonhomme), Île Frégate, Île Toc Vers, Île Tortue and Gros Îlets (Îlots Syndare). A much bigger islet, Île Fourchue, lies on the north of the island, in the Saint-Barthélemy Channel. Other rocky islets which include Coco, the Roques (or little Turtle rocks), the Tortiie, Toevers, Grogatte, the Goat, and the Sugarloaf. As a leeward island of the Caribbean Sea it has an average elevation of 130 m with a shore line of 58.9 kilometres (36.6 mi).

Marine areas

St. Barts forms, with St. Martin, Anguilla, and Dog Island, a distinct group that lies upon the western edge of a flat bank of soundings composed chiefly of shells, sand, and coral. From St. Barts, the bank extends east-southeast, ending in a small tongue or spit. It is separated from the main bank by a narrow length of deep water. East of the island, the edge of the bank lies 22 km away.

Grande Saline Bay provides temporary anchorage for small vessels while Colombier Bay, to the northwest, has a 4 fathoms patch near mid entrance. In the bight of St. Jean Bay there is a narrow cut through the reef. The north and east sides of the island are fringed, to a short distance from the shore, by a visible coral reef. Reefs are mostly in shallow waters and are clearly visible. The coastal areas abound with beaches and many of these have offshore reefs, some of which are part of a marine reserve.

The marine reserve, founded in 1999, covers more than 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of protected and vulnerable habitats, bays and islands, and includes a zone that is restricted to scientific observations only. As the sea surrounding the St. Barts is rich in coral reefs and other precious marine life, the area has been declared a protected area since 1996. Environmental awareness is quite pronounced in St. Barts and is promoted by the Environmental Commission.

A view of Gustavia.

Shell Beach (Anse De Grand Galet).

There are as many as 22 public beaches (most beaches on St Barthélémy are known as "Anse de..." etc. ) of which 15 are considered suitable for swimming. They are categorized and divided into two groups, the leeward side (calm waters protected by the island itself) and windward side (some of which are protected by hills and reefs). The windward beaches are popular for windsurfing. The beach of St Jean is suitable for water sports and facilities have been created for that purpose. The long beach at Lorient has shade and is a quiet beach as compared to St. Jean.

Grand-cul-de-sac is a long beach with facilities for water sports. Anse de Flamands is a very wide sandy beach and Le petit Anse (The little beach), just to the north of Anse de Flamands is very safe and popular with the locals for their children. Anse Toiny beach is in a remote location and is considered suitable for experienced surfers as the water current is very strong.

On the leeward side, the notable beaches are: Anse du Gouverneur, Anse du Colombier which is only accessible by foot or by boat, Anse de Grand Galet (Shell Beach) and Anse de Grande Saline which is popular with nudists. The area around the salt ponds near the Anse de Grande Saline beach is marshy and is a habitat for tropical birds. Ile islet, an offshoot of the leeward side, has a white sandy beach.

Shell Beach, also called Anse de Grand Galet (in French, ‘Anse’ means “panhandle” and Galet means “pebble”), is a beach in the southwestern part of Gustavia. A large number of sea shells are scattered on this beach. This beach was subject to the strong waves of hurricane Lenny in 1999, which resulted in erosion of the sand. This necessitated supplementing the beach with new sand in 2000.

On the north coast, on the far eastern side of the island, there are two lagoons called the Anse de Marigot and Anse du Grand Cul-de-Sac.

Turtle and Whale

Interior areas

Morne Vitet, 286 m in height, is the highest peak in the island. There are few sheep pens built with stone walls on the slopes of the mountain. A hill road leads to the Grand Cul-de-Sac from where scenic views of the entire coast line can be witnessed. Hills and valleys of varying topography cover the rest of the island. Two other hills near the island's east end are of nearly the same elevation at 262 and 250 m above sea level.

Populated areas

Small villages are seen spread out in the rolling hills in the interior. Gustavia, the capital of the island is located in a natural harbour which has witnessed many historical transitions. Yachts are a common sight in the harbour. The oldest settlement still remaining is the village of Lorient (or L'Orient). Lorient's sister village on the French mainland is the city of Lorient on the southern coast of Brittany. The population is spread among 40 quartiers, roughly corresponding to settlements. They are grouped into two paroisses (parishes):

Territorial subdivision into 2 paroisses (parishes) with 40 quartiers

Satellite picture of the island

Sous le Vent (Leeward)		Au Vent (Windward)
Nr	Quartier	Nr	Quartier
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Colombier Flamands Terre Neuve Grande Vigie Corossol Merlette La Grande Montagne Anse des Lézards Anse des Cayes Le Palidor Public Col de la Tourmente Quartier du Roi Le Château Aéroport Saint-Jean Gustavia La Pointe Lurin Carénage	21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40	Morne Criquet Morne de Dépoudré Gouverneur Anse du Gouverneur Morne Rouge Grande Saline Petite Saline Lorient Barrière des Quatres Vents Camaruche Grand Fond Toiny Devet Vitet Grand Cul-de-Sac Pointe Milou Mont Jean Marigot Anse du Grand Cul-de-Sac Petit Cul-de-Sac

Climate

The island covers an area of c. 21 km². The eastern side is wetter than the western. Though an arid terrain, the rainfall still averages 1000 mm but varies very widely. Summer is from May to November which is also the rainy season. Winter from December to April is the dry season. Sunshine is very prominent almost all through the year and even during the rainy season. Humidity, however, is not very high because of the winds. It has an average temperature of 25°C with day temperatures rising to 32°C. The average temperature in January is 28°C (22°C) while in July it is 30°C (24°C). The lowest night temperature recorded is 13°C. The Caribbean sea waters in the vicinity generally maintain a temperature of about 27°C. Between May and November, brief showers of 10 to 15 minutes are commonplace. The island faces frequent catastrophic threats of cyclonic storms.

Demographics

According to the 2008 census, St. Barts had 8,823 inhabitants, with caucasian islanders forming the large majority (90-95%).

The full-time residents are French citizens who work at establishments on the island. Most of them are descendants of the first settlers, Breton, Normand, Poitevin, Saintonge and Angevin lineage. French is the native tongue of the population. English is understood in hotels and restaurants, although a small population of Anglophones has been resident in Gustavia for many years. The St. Barts French patois is spoken by some 500–700 people in the leeward portion of the island and is superficially related to Quebec French, whereas Créole French is limited to the windward side. Unlike other populations in the Caribbean, language preference between the Créole and Patois is geographically determined, and not racially.

Historical population

1766	1785	1812	1885	1961	1967	1974	1982	1990	1999	2007
327	950	5,482	2,600	2,176	2,351	2,491	3,059	5,038	6,852	8,450
Official figures from French and Swedish censuses.

Politics and government

Until 2007, administratively, the whole island of St. Barts was a French commune (commune de Saint-Barthélemy) part of Guadeloupe, which is an overseas région and overseas département of France, and therefore part of the European Union. In 2003, the population voted through referendum in favour of secession from Guadeloupe in order to form a separate overseas collectivity (COM) of France.

On 7 February 2007, the French Parliament passed a bill granting COM status to both St. Barts and (separately) to the neighbouring Saint Martin. The new status took effect on 15 July 2007, when the first territorial council was elected, according to the law. The island has a president (elected every 5 years), a unicameral Territorial Council of 19 members who are elected by popular vote and serve for five-year terms, and an executive council of 7 members. Elections to these councils were last held on 1, 8 and 15 July 2007 with the next election due in July 2012.Template:Saint Barthelemy Territorial Council election, 2007

One senator is representing the island in the French Senate, election was held on 21 September 2008 with the next election due in September 2014. St. Barts became an overseas territory of the European Union on 1 January 2012, but the island's inhabitants remain French citizens with EU status holding EU passports. France is responsible for the defence of the island and as such has stationed a security force on the island comprising six policemen and 13 gendarmes (posted on two year term).

The present head of the State is President François Hollande, since 15 May 2012, represented by a prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior. The island's national anthem representing a collectivity of France is "La Marseillaise".

Heraldry

The coat of arms of Saint Barthélemy is a shield divided into three horizontal stripes, three gold fleurs-de-lis on blue, above a white Maltese cross on red, over three gold crowns on blue, and reads "Ouanalao". On a white background, it serves as the unofficial Flag of Saint Barthélemy.

Economy

Sailboats and yachts in St. Barts

Agricultural production on the island is difficult given the dry and rocky terrain, but the early settlers managed to produce vegetables, cotton, pineapples, salt, bananas and also fishing. Sweet potato is also grown in patches. The islanders developed commerce through the port of Gustavia. Duty-free port attractions, retail trade, high-end tourism (mostly from North America) and its luxury hotels and villas have increased the island's prosperity, reflected in the high standard of living of its citizens.

The official currency of St. Barts is the euro. INSEE estimated that the total GDP of St. Barts amounted to 179 million euros in 1999 (US$191 million at 1999 exchange rate; US$255 million at Oct. 2007 exchange rate). In that same year the GDP per capita of St. Barts was 26,000 euros (US$27,700 at 1999 exchanges rates; US$37,000 at Oct. 2007 exchange rates), which was 10% higher than the average GDP per capita of metropolitan France in 1999.

Handicrafts

Corossol is noted for its handicrafts; weaving hats and bags from palm fronds are a low income economic activity of the indigenous people.

Tourism

International investment and the wealth generated by wealthy tourists explain the high standard of living on the island. St. Barts is considered a playground of the rich and famous, especially as a winter haven, and is known for its beaches, gourmet dining and high-end designers. Most of the food is imported by airplane or boat from the US or France. Tourism attracts about 200,000 visitors every year. As a result, there is a boom in house building activity catering to the tourists and also to the permanent residents of the island, with prices as high as €61,200,000 for a beachfront villa.

St. Barts has about 25 hotels, most of them with 15 rooms or fewer. The largest has 58 rooms. Hotels are classified in the traditional French manner; 3 Star, 4 Star and 4 Star Luxe. Most of places of accommodation are in the form of private villas, of which there are some 400 available to rent on the island. The island's tourism industry, though expensive, attracts 70,000 visitors every year to its luxury hotels and villas and another 130,000 people arrive by luxury boats. It also attracts a labour force from Brazil and Portugal to meet the industry needs.

The height of tourism is New Year's Eve, with celebrities and the wealthy converging on the island in yachts up to 550 ft in length for the occasion. Hotels for New Years are sold out well in advance.

Education

There are two private primary schools (École Sainte-Marie and École Saint-Joseph), one public primary school (École élémentaire de Gustavia) and one public middle school (Collège Mireille Choisy).

Wildlife

Flora

Vegetation at Baie de Saint-Jean

As the terrain is generally arid, the hills have mostly poor soil and support only cacti and succulent plants. During the rainy season the area turns green with vegetation and grass. The eastern part of the island is greener as it receives more rainfall. A 1994 survey has revealed several hundred indigenous species of plants including the naturalized varieties of flora; some growing in irrigated areas while the dry areas are dominated by the cacti variety. Sea grapes and palm trees are a common sight with mangroves and shrubs surviving in the saline coastal swamps. Coconut palm was brought to the island from the Pacific islands. Important plants noted on the island are:

The Flamboyant trees of Madagascar, which have feathery leaves and blooms with clusters of orange red flowers, the frangipanis of many varieties with pointed waxy leaves and which bloom in different colours of white, red and yellow, latanier or sabal palms at Lorient, wild trumpet (poui or pourier) trees, Manchineel trees on the sandy beaches which are harmful and even poisonous; anaconda or geranium trees etc. common.

Other trees of note include the royal palm, Sea grape trees in the form of shrubs in the beaches and as 5–7 m trees in the interior areas of the island, aloe or aloe vera (brought from the Mediterranean), the night blooming cereus, mamillaria nivosa, yellow prickly pear or barbary fig which was planted as barbed wire defences against invading British army in 1773, Mexican cactus, stapelia gigantea, golden trumpet or yellow bell which was originally from South America, bougainvillea and others.

Fauna

Terrestrial animals found in the island were all brought from other countries since indigenous species did not exist in the island. Mongoose was the first animal, brought to eliminate the menace of rats and snakes. However, over the years they multiplied so largely that they became irritants. Iguanas were also imported into the island and are now scarce as they are seen only as pets in resorts. Marine mammals are many, such as the dolphins, porpoises and whales, which are seen here during the migration period from December till May. Turtles are a common sight along the coast line of the island. They are a protected species and in the endangered list. It is stated that it will take 15–50 years for this species to attain reproductive age. Though they live in the sea, the females come to the shore to lay eggs and are protected by private societies. Three species of turtles are particularly notable. These are: The Leatherback Turtles which have leather skin instead of a shell and are the largest of the type found here, some times measuring a much as 3 m (average is about 1.5 m) and weighing about 450 kg - Jelly fish is their favourite diet; the Hawksbill Turtles, which have hawk-like beaks and found near reefs, generally about 90 cm in diameter and weigh about 60 kg and their diet consists of crabs and snails; and the Green Turtles, herbivores which have rounded heads, generally about 90  cm in diameter and live amidst tall sea grasses. The island has 12 reptile and amphibian species of which two (EVRI) are threatened.

Avifauna

Frigate Bird

Avifauna in the wild, both native and migrating include brown pelican along the shore line, magnificent frigate birds with long spans of up to 1.8 m, the green backed heron, the snowy egrets, the kingfisher; the Bananaquits; broadwinged hawks; two species of hummingbirds, the Green-throated Carib and Antillean Crested Hummingbird; two species of doves, the Zenaida doves and common turtle doves.

Aquafauna

Ghost Crab.

The marine life found here consists of Anemones, urchins, sea cucumbers, and eels, which all live on the reefs along with turtles, conch and many varieties of marine fishes. The marine aquafauna is rich in Conch, which has pearly-pink shells. Its meat is a favourite food supplement item and their shells are a collectors item. Other species of fish which are recorded close to the shore line in shallow waters are: sergeant majors, the blue chromis, brown chromis, surgeon fish; blue tangs and trumpet fish. On the shore are Ghost crabs, which always live on the beach in small burrowed tunnels made in sand, and the Hermit crabs, which live in land but lay eggs in water and which also eat garbage and sewerage. They spend some months in the sea during and after the hatching season.

Landmarks and architecture

Apart from Gustavia, the capital of St. Barts there are many notable places and monuments in the island which testify to the colonial regime of the Spanish, Swedes, the British and the French, and now a French territory.

Gustavia

Gustavia Harbour

Gustavia is in a U shaped cove facing the harbour on the west. The water side arm of this cove is in a peninsula while the dockyard is on the east side. The harbour ferry dock on the land side and the tourist office are located to the right of harbour facing the sea. The left arm of the U-shaped harbour is a peninsula whose tip is called the La Pointe where Fort Oscar and the Wall House are situated.

When the British invaded the harbour town in 1744, the town’s architectural buildings were destroyed. Subsequently, new structures were built in the town around the harbour area and the Swedes had also further added to the architectural beauty of the town in 1785 with more buildings, when they had occupied the town. Earlier to their occupation, the port was known as "Carénage". The Swedes renamed it as Gustavia in honour of their king Gustav III. It was then their prime trading center. The port maintained a neutral stance since the Caribbean war was on in the 18th century. They used it as trading post of contraband and the city of Gustavia prospered but this prosperity was short lived.

These buildings also underwent further destruction during the hurricanes and also by gutting in 1852. However, some monuments are still intact such as the residence of the then Swedish governor known as Mairie, which is now the town hall. The oldest colonial structure in the town is stated to be the bell tower (now without a bell) built in 1799, as part of a church (destroyed in the past), in the southeast end of the town on Rue Du Presbytere. Now, a large clock is installed in place of the bell.

The road that runs parallel to the harbour face of the sea called the Rue de la Republique and two other roads connect to the two arms of the U-shaped bay. The city has a network of roads, inherited from the Swedish period, that are laid in a grid pattern, which are either parallel or perpendicular to the three main roads that encompass the bay.

Église catholique de Gustavia

Église catholique de Gustavia, the Saint-Bartholomew Anglican Church, is an important religious building in the town built in 1885 with stones brought from St Eustatius. It is on one of the most elegant roads of the town called the Rue du Centenaire. It has a bell tower. A rock wall encircles the church.

Ancien presbytère de l'église catholique de Gustavia

Ancien presbytère de l'église catholique de Gustavia is the Catholic Church built in 1822 is a replacement of the oldest church of the same name in Lorient. This church also has a bell tower which is separated from the main church and which rings loud and clear.

Musée Territorial de St.-Barthélemy

Musée Territorial de St.-Barthélemy is a historical museum known as the "St. Barts Municipal Museum" also called the "Wall House" (musée – bibliothèque) in Gustavia, which is located on the far end of La Pointe. The museum is housed in an old stone house, a two-storey building which has been refurbished. The island’s history relating to French, Swedish and British period of occupation is well presented in the museum with photographs, maps and paintings. Also on display are the ancestral costumes, antique tools, models of Creole houses and ancient fishing boats. It also houses a library.

Gustavia Lighthouse

Gustavia Lighthouse

The 9 metres (30 ft) white tower of the Gustavia Lighthouse was built in 1961. Situated on the crest of a hill north of the town, its focal plane is 64 metres (210 ft) above the level of the sea. It flashes every 12 seconds, white, green or red depending on direction. The round conical tower has a single red band at the top. The lantern which formerly was used in the lighthouse is now on display at the Musée Municipal de St.-Barthélemy in Gustavia.

Le Manoir de St. Barthélemy

Another interesting structure in village of Lorient is the Le Manoir de St. Barthélemy which was built by transporting in segments a Norman House built in 1610 to St. Barts in 1984. This reassembly of the old building in St. Barts was the creation of an author of a French book on the history of St. Barts.

Forts

Among the notable structures in the town are the three forts built by the Swedes for defense purposes. One of these forts, known as Fort Oscar (formerly Gustav Adolph), which overlooks the sea is located on the far side of La Pointe. However, the ruins have been replaced by a modern military building which now houses the local gendarmerie. The other fort known as Fort Karl now presents a very few ruins. The third fort built by the Swedes is the Fort Gustav, which is also seen in ruins strewn around the weather station and the Light House. The fort built in 1787 over a hill slope has ruins of ramparts, guardhouse, munitions depot, wood-burning oven and so forth.

Savaku

A statue, "Savaku", representing the Arawak Indians is present at Saint-Jean.

Culture

Festivals and holidays

Some of the festivals held each year in St. Barts are:

• The St. Barts Music Festival held every January, usually during the 2nd and 3rd weeks.
• A French Carnival in February/March held for two weeks before Ash Wednesday and concluding with Ash Wednesday; on Ash Wednesday a black and white parade held at Shell Beach is the occasion to a notional burning of the image of Vaval, the Carnival King
• St. Barts Festival of Caribbean Cinema when Caribbean films are screened
• Armistice Day on May 8
• Abolition of Slavery Day on May 27 & October 9
• Bastille Day on July 14
• Victor Schoelcher Day on July 21 honouring Schoelcher, a French parliamentarian for his noble humanitarian act of abolishing slavery in French territory on April 27, 1848
• Assumption Day on August 15
• Fete de Saint, Barthélemy feast day of Saint Barthélemy on August 24 in honour of the patron saint of the island when the church bells peel and the boats are blessed, and is followed by regatta and fireworks concluded with a public ball
• Festival of Gustavia held in August, an occasion of dragnet fishing and partying.
• All Saints Day on November 1;
• Remembrance Day or Armistice Day WWI
• Christmas Day on December 25; and New Year’s Eve on December 31.

Some other festivals held are the Festival Gastronomique (April) and Yacht Festival (May). The national holidays observed are the Bastille Day and St. Barthélemy Day (day of adoption of French Constitution). Feast of St Louis is held on November 1 when thousands of candles are lit in the evening hours, which is a public holiday. All Souls Day is observed on November 2, and it is public holiday.

Music

The island is part of the Caribbean music culture, the birthplace of the calypso, meringue, soca, zouk and reggae. The St. Barts Music Festival http://www.stbartsmusicfestival.org is a major international performing arts event held every year, often during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of January. Live performances are held every night, or every other night, for about two weeks. Performances include ballet, orchestra, chamber music, opera and jazz. The Festival performers also do outreach to the schools of St Barts and there is considerable children's participation.

Cuisine

French cuisine, West Indian cuisine, Creole cuisine, Italian cuisine and Asian cuisine are common in St. Barts. The island has over 70 restaurants serving many dishes and others are a significant number of gourmet restaurants; many of the finest restaurants are located in the hotels. There are also a number of snack restaurants which the French call "les snacks" or "les petits creux" which include sandwiches, pizzas and salads. West Indian cuisine, steamed vegetables with fresh fish is common; Creole dishes tend to be spicier. The island hosts gastronomic events throughout the year, with dishes such as spring roll of shrimp and bacon, fresh grilled lobster, Chinese noodle salad with coconut milk, and grilled beef fillet etc.

In the early 1990s, the island had two cooking schools: the Saint Barts Cooking School which had emphasis on classical French cuisine, and Cooking in Paradise which had emphasis on creole cuisine.

Fashion

The traditional costume which is seen only among older women consists of starched white bonnets called kichnottes.

The tropical location and natural beauty of St. Barts makes it a prime location for modelling photo shoots, particularly for swimwear publications. St. Barts is also a winter getaway for many fashion models in the industry.

Legend

A popular legend related to St. Barts is of a seafarer hooligan looking to loot Spanish ships. A French pirate Daniel Montbars, who was given the epithet “Montbars the Exterminator”, took shelter in St. Barts during his pirate operations and hid the loot in the sandy coves at Anse du Gouverneur.

Sports

Further information: Rugby union in Saint Barthélemy

Kitesurfing at Baie de Saint-Jean

Rugby is a popular sport in the island One of the major teams on the island is "Les Barracudas", named after a ferocious fish of the Caribbean. They often play teams from Anguilla and other surrounding islands. The junior national French surf champion from Lorient achieved success in 2006.

Gustavia is also known as a haven for yachting, with many events being held in Gustavia. These events are the Saint-Barth Regatta during February, the Saint Barth’s Cup in April and the International Regatta in May. Deep sea fishing is also undertaken by Anglers from the waterfront of Lorient, Flamands and Corossol to fish for tuna, marlin, bonito, barracuda and wahoo. St Barth Open Fishing tournament is held in July.

Transat AG2R Race, held every alternate year, is an event which originates in Concarneau in Brittany, France, reaching St. Barts. It is a boat race with boats of 10 m length with a single hull and with essential safety equipment. Each boat is navigated by two sailors. Kitesurfing and other water sports have also become popular on the island in recent years, especially at Grand Cul-de-Sac beach (Baie de Grand Cul de Sac) for windy sports as Kitesurfing and Saint Jean Beach ( Baie de Saint Jean), Lorient, Toiny and Anse des Cayes for surfing. Tennis is also popular on the island and it has several tennis clubs, Tennis Clube de Flamboyant in Grand Cul-de-Sac, AJOE Tennis Club in Orient and ASCO in Colombier. All the Tennis facilities are lighted, and the tennis club in St. Jean includes a stadium for spectators.

The Swedish Marathon Race, also called the Gustavialoppet, is held in December. Races of 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) and 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) are conducted when children, women and men participate in the races.

The island has many local sports and facilities, including a lighted football stadium with astroturf, lighted archery facilities, Judo club with its own building, Taekwando club with its own building, a public pool with lessons and a swim team, and a rugby facility.

Transport

Private boat docked in St. Barts

St. Barts has a small airport known as Gustaf III Airport on the north coast of the island that is served by small regional commercial aircraft and charters. It has a paved runway of 650 m length. All visiting aircraft carry fewer than twenty passengers, such as the Twin Otter, a common sight around St. Barts and throughout the northern West Indies. The short airstrip is at the base of a gentle slope ending directly on the beach at St Jean. The arrival descent is over the hilltop traffic circle and departing planes fly right over the heads of sunbathers on St. Jean Beach (although small signs advise sunbathers not to lie directly at the end of the runway).

The nearest commercial jet airport is on the neighboring Dutch island of Sint Maarten: Princess Juliana International Airport, which is preferred to use and then take a connecting flight (regional carrier) to St. Barts. Several international airlines and domestic Caribbean airlines operate in this sector. Many Inter Inland ferry services operate regularly between St. Martin and St. Barts. There are three airlines which serve the island, Win-Air and St. Barth's Commuter fly regularly to St. Martin Princess Julianna, and Tradewind Aviation services St. Thomas and San Juan.

Some others arriving on the island access it by ferry, private charter boat or yacht. Daily ferry service is also available. St Barts is a stop off point for international cruise lines, although the harbour is too small to accommodate the cruise ships so they anchor off shore and bring small groups on tenders.

The narrow and congested roads, and difficulty in parking, have been an impetus for driving Smart cars. Many visitors rent cars as there are many sites and restaurants outside of Gustavia.

Media

A weekly journal entitled Journal de St. Barth is published in the French language. Its English language abridged version is published as St. Barth Weekly only during the winter months (for Anglophone tourists). Other tourist related information is available at the airport and in the offices of the Tourist Authority.

There is no local TV broadcasting station. However, the island has three FM radio channels, out of which two operate via repeaters. The island has a fully integrated access telephone system and with capability for direct dial on fixed and wireless systems.

Health facilities

The island has a small hospital called the 'Hopital de Bruyn' in Gustavia with an adjacent diagnostic laboratory, there is also at least one private diagnostic facility. Specialists in cardiology, general medicine, dentists, ENT, OB/GYN, paediatrics and rheumatology are also available. There are many pharmacies dispensing medicines. For more sophisticated facilities, patients go to Guadeloupe, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Miami or France.

Notable people

• Eugénie Blanchard was the world's oldest person (114 years, 261 days) at the time of her death on 4 November 2010. She was born on St. Barts and spent most of her life on Curaçao and St. Barts as a Catholic nun.

See also

• Outline of Saint Barthélemy
• Index of Saint Barthélemy-related articles
• Caribbean Sea
• Leeward Islands
• Overseas departments and territories of France

References

• Mémoire St Barth : Comprehensive bibliography about the island

External links

Government

• Collectivity of Saint Barthélemy (Official government website) Template:Fr icon
• Comité Territorial du Tourisme (Tourism board website) Template:Fr icon
• Gustavia Harbor/Port de Gustavia (Official website) Template:Fr icon

Historical and botanical information

• Mémoire St Barth : Saint-Barthelemy's history (slave trade, slavery, abolitions)
• Histoire et aménagement linguistique à Saint-Barthélemy Template:Fr icon
• Saint Barth Fauna & Flora Template:Fr icon

General information

• "Saint Barthelemy". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency.
• Template:Wikitravel