Saint Barthélemy, French overseas territory in Lesser Antilles, Caribbean.
Saint Barthélemy is a French overseas collectivity in the Caribbean Sea, positioned east of Puerto Rico among the Lesser Antilles. The island covers roughly 25 square kilometers and consists of a hilly terrain with more than twenty small bays and beaches along its jagged coastline.
The island changed hands several times in the 17th century before France sold it to Sweden in 1784. Sweden governed the territory until 1878, when France took back control, and Gustavia was named after Swedish King Gustav III during that period.
Residents speak French in daily life, while English is often heard in shops and restaurants around the island. Local fishermen still bring their catch to Corossol, where women weave traditional palm hats and baskets using skills passed through generations.
Regulations require that buildings on the island remain no higher than two stories and follow local architectural guidelines in color and form. Visitors should know that many roads are narrow and winding, especially when driving through hilly areas between the different bays.
The runway at Gustaf III Airport is one of the shortest for commercial flights, ending just meters from the sand at Saint Jean Beach. Pilots must navigate over a small hill on approach and brake hard immediately after landing to stop before reaching the water.
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