Saint Barthélemy
Saint Barthélemy
- Capital
- Gustavia
- Population
- 9,417
- Region
- Americas
- Languages
- French
Saint Barthélemy is the only Caribbean island that was once a colony of Sweden for nearly a century. King Gustav III acquired the territory from France in 1784, making the capital of Gustavia a duty-free port which remains a central part of its economic identity. Many streets still bear Swedish names, and the local architecture retains distinct Scandinavian structural influences not found elsewhere in the region.
Currency
The official currency is the Euro, identified by the ISO code EUR. Interestingly, before the Euro was adopted in 2002, the island utilized the French Franc, yet it remains one of the few territories in the Caribbean where the U.S. Dollar is also universally accepted in daily commerce.
Flag symbolism
The unofficial local flag features a white field centered with the island's coat of arms, as the official flag is the French Tricolor. The white background represents the purity and peace associated with the island's high-end status and historical neutrality. Surrounding the central crest are gold and blue elements that represent the French monarchy and the Swedish period, linking the island’s dual European heritage.
Emblem history
The emblem features three fleurs-de-lis representing the long-standing French sovereignty and three crowns honoring the historical Swedish administration. A Maltese cross is centered on a red fess, referencing the period when the island was owned by the Order of Malta. The shield is supported by two pelicans, while the word 'Ouanalao' at the bottom preserves the original name given to the island by the indigenous Arawak people.