| Gustavia | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
 |
|
 |
|
| Coordinates: 17°53′52.47″N 62°51′2.0″W / 17.8979083°N 62.85056°W | |
| Country | France |
| Overseas collectivity | Saint Barthélemy |
| Founded | 1785 |
| Population | |
| - Total | ~3,000 |
Gustavia (pop. roughly 3000) is the main town and capital of the island of St. Barthélemy (also known as Saint Barts). It was named after King Gustav III of Sweden.
Contents |
St. Barts was a French possession originally, and the eventual site of Gustavia was called Carenage after the shelter it provided to damaged ships. Gustavia was founded after Sweden obtained the island from France in 1785 in exchange for French trading rights in Gothenburg, in order to faciliate her iron trade in the Americas. With the purchase of the island, Sweden founded the Swedish West India Company. Prospering during the Napoleonic Wars, assets were low thereafter, and the island was sold back to France in 1878.[1]
The Anglican Episcopal Church on the harborfront was built in 1855. Three forts built in the mid- to late- 17th century protected the harbor.
The sites of Fort Karl, overlooking Shell Beach south of town, and Fort Gustave, at the base of the lighthouse to the north, are popular with hikers. Fort Oscar, at the tip of Gustavia Peninsula, houses the Ministry of Armed Forces. There is a museum at the end of Schoelcher Avenue on the peninsula. Gustavia has a few restaurants serving American, Italian, Swedish, French and other types of food. Most restaurants have a 10-15% service charge.
Gustavia has many high-end boutiques that are an essential source of revenue for the island.
Coordinates: 17°53′52.47″N 62°51′2.0″W / 17.8979083°N 62.85056°W
| Look for Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy on one of Wikipedia's sister projects:
Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. Please search for Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy in Wikipedia to check for alternative titles or spellings.
Other reasons this message may be displayed:
|
Redirecting to Gustavia (town)
|
|
Wikis
Quiz
Search
