Christopher Columbus struggled with the currents, before finding a protected
harbor, discovered the island in 1493 and named it after his brother,
Bartolomeo. Today's aircraft arrive from Juliana, the nearby international
airport of St. Maarten,
The passengers are frequently VIPs, the plane laden with pâté and champagne for
the hotels and villas of the French Riviera in the middle of the Caribbean.
St-Tropes and St Barts, two sides of the same golden coin, host often the same
people. Here more Dom Perignon is consumed than in the rest of the Caribbean,
and no one notices or bothers the rich and. The style of this corner of France
is one of understatement. There are no big discos, just small piano bars and
small restaurants on the beach. But beware of the dark blue waters outside the
coral reef. At sunset the unforgiving tiger sharks go hunting.
TERRITORY
St. Barth, one of the most exclusive Caribbean island,
inhabited by
white and blonde people,
is a quiet little island with an area of only 25 KMQ., edged by
wonderful small beaches and surrounded by many islets.
The biggest are: Les Balines, Ane rouge, Roche le boeuf, Ile
chevreau, Fregate, Tortue, La poule and Les poussins.
The capital, in memory of the ancient Swedish possession is named Gustavia.
CLIMATE
Weather is tropical with
temperatures between 22 and 30°C.; heat is
relieved by the trade winds.
Dry season run from January to April, more wet
from July to November.
Form of Government:
Overseas French
collectivity
Capital::
Gustavia
Area: 25
kmq.
Population: 8.450
Language: French
Currency:
Euro
Time
Zone: - 5 GMT - UTC
Documents:
passport with minimum validity of six months
International Area
Code: +590
Health:
The health situation of the island is pretty
good and efficient.
