Central America and the Caribbean / TB
Saint Barthelemy

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2021 Factbook flag mirror; image identity has not been individually audited. Source.
Last updated: October 29, 2026

Map image could not be loaded. Open source image.
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CIA World Factbook map, February 2021 media edition. Identity reviewed; current boundaries have not been audited. visual contact sheet or original identity check; does not verify current boundaries Boundaries, place names and designations may be dated or disputed; original annotations retained. SHA-256: a4b1e3e82cc6fcc8d7fc88c2285633a8bdc79b0da0b822030d6df1a5f537b292. Provenance and inspection record.Introduction
Background:1
In 1493, Christopher COLUMBUS named Saint Barthelemy for his brother Bartolomeo, but the island was first settled by the French in 1648. In 1784, France sold the island to Sweden, which renamed the largest town Gustavia after the Swedish King GUSTAV III and made it a free port; the island prospered as a trade and supply center during the colonial wars of the 18th century. France repurchased the island in 1877 and took control the following year, placing it under the administration of Guadeloupe. Saint Barthelemy retained its free port status along with various Swedish appellations such as Swedish street and town names, and the three-crown symbol on the coat of arms. In 2003, the islanders voted to secede from Guadeloupe, and in 2007, the island became a French overseas collectivity. In 2012, it became an overseas territory of the EU, allowing it to exert local control over the permanent and temporary immigration of foreign workers, including non-French European citizens. Hurricane Irma hit the island in 2017 and caused extensive damage.
Geography
Location:2
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean; located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Saint Barthelemy lies east of the US Virgin Islands
Geographic coordinates:3
17 90 N, 62 85 W
Map references:4
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:5
Area - comparative:6
less than one-eighth the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries:7
Climate:8
tropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid)
Terrain:9
hilly, almost completely surrounded by shallow-water reefs, with plentiful beaches
Elevation:10
Natural resources:11
few natural resources; beaches foster tourism
Land use:12
Population distribution:13
most of the populace is concentrated in and around the capital of Gustavia, but scattered settlements exist around the island's periphery
Geography - note:14
a 1,200-hectare (3,000-acre) marine nature reserve, the Reserve Naturelle, is made up of five zones around the island that form a network to protect the island's coral reefs, seagrass, and endangered marine species
People and Society
Population:15
Ethnic groups:16
French, Portuguese, Caribbean, Afro-Caribbean
Languages:17
French (primary), English
Religions:18
Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jehovah's Witnesses
Age structure:19
Dependency ratios:20
Median age:21
Population growth rate:22
-0.11% (2024 est.)
Birth rate:23
9.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Death rate:24
9.5 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Net migration rate:25
-1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Population distribution:26
most of the populace is concentrated in and around the capital of Gustavia, but scattered settlements exist around the island's periphery
Sex ratio:27
Infant mortality rate:28
Life expectancy at birth:29
Total fertility rate:30
1.64 children born/woman (2024 est.)
Gross reproduction rate:31
0.79 (2024 est.)
Drinking water source:32
Sanitation facility access:33
Environment
Government
Country name:37
Government type:38
parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France
Dependency status:39
overseas collectivity of France
Capital:40
Legal system:41
French civil law
Constitution:42
Citizenship:43
see France
Suffrage:44
18 years of age, universal
Executive branch:45
Legislative branch:46
Political parties:47
All for Saint Barth (Tous pour Saint-Barth)
Saint Barth Action Equilibre
Saint Barth First! (Saint-Barth d'Abord!) or SBA (affiliated with France's Republican party, Les Republicans)
Saint Barth United (Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy)
Diplomatic representation in the US:48
none (overseas collectivity of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:49
International organization participation:50
ACS (associate), UPU
Independence:51
none (overseas collectivity of France)
National holiday:52
Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)
Flag:53
the flag of France is used
National symbol(s):54
pelican
National anthem(s):55
Economy
Economic overview:56
high-income French Caribbean territorial economy; duty-free luxury commerce and tourism industries; import-dependent for food, water, energy, and manufacturing; large Brazilian and Portuguese labor supply; environmentally fragile
Exports - partners:57
Spain 57%, Switzerland 24%, France 6%, Ireland 5%, Canada 2% (2023)
Exports - commodities:58
refined copper, jewelry (2023)
Imports - partners:59
Switzerland 50%, Portugal 14%, Brazil 6%, Japan 5%, Ireland 5% (2023)
Imports - commodities:60
precious metal watches, base metal watches, jewelry, cars, garments (2023)
Exchange rates:61
0.924 (2024 est.)
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
Energy
Communications
Broadcast media:63
2 local TV broadcasters; 5 FM radio channels (2021)
Internet country code:64
.bl
Internet users:65
Transportation
Military and Security
Military - note:67
defense is the responsibility of France
Notes & sources
- Background. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Location. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Geographic coordinates. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Map references. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Area. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Area - comparative. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Land boundaries. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Climate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Terrain. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Elevation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Natural resources. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Land use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Population distribution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Geography - note. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Population. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Ethnic groups. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Languages. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Religions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Age structure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Dependency ratios. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Median age. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Population growth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Birth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Death rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Net migration rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Population distribution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Sex ratio. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Infant mortality rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Life expectancy at birth. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Total fertility rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Gross reproduction rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Drinking water source. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Sanitation facility access. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Environmental issues. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Climate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Land use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Country name. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Government type. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Dependency status. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Capital. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Legal system. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Constitution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Citizenship. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Suffrage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Executive branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Legislative branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Political parties. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Diplomatic representation in the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Diplomatic representation from the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- International organization participation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Independence. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- National holiday. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Flag. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- National symbol(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- National anthem(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Economic overview. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Exports - partners. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Exports - commodities. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Imports - partners. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Imports - commodities. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Exchange rates. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Electricity access. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Broadcast media. Reference edition; observation: 2021. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Internet country code. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Internet users. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Airports. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
- Military - note. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-11-17 14:32:17 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩