St Barthelemy
From Imakoopedia
Officially part of the overseas French department of Guadeloupe, St Barthelemy is a tiny French island in the Eastern Caribbean.
Its only town of note, Gustavia, is also the main port. The airport is truly one of the most wonderful aviation experiences - the first-timer should beware the hair-raising landing. Pilots require a special licence to land here, such is the trickiness of the manoevering required.
Oddly enough for a Caribbean island, the population is nearly entirely of European ancestry. The lack of a slave trade due to the lack of agricultural opportunities (it is principally cliffs and hills) meant that the settlers were effectively the first permanent inhabitants of the island. The island has changed hands many times over the centuries, belonging to Sweden from the late 18th to late 19th century, after they swapped it for some warehouses with the French. However, it is very Gallic in flavour now, although most speak English and the island is frequently visited by the wealthier end of the United States' demographic.
Get in
Access to the island is via Guadeloupe or St Maarten from the air, or from St Maarten by boat, but beware - it's a pretty rocky crossing!
Buy
The Euro is the official currency, although US Dollars are widely accepted.
