Saint Barthélemy: Flag and Facts
Saint Barthelemy has no separate flag; it uses the flag of France, because the island is a French overseas collectivity.
- Official name
- Collectivity of Saint Barthélemy
- Capital
- Gustavia
- Region
- Caribbean
- Population
- 7,079 (2025)
- Languages
- French
- Currency
- Euro
- Area
- 21 km² (8 sq mi)
- People
- Saint Barthélemy Islander
- Calling code
- +590
- Highest point
- Morne du Vitet 286 m
- Independence
- none (overseas collectivity of France)
- National symbols
- pelican
- Borders
- No land borders
- Status
- Territory (not a sovereign country)
About Saint Barthélemy
The island's own emblem is the pelican, and some Swedish touches survive on its coat of arms, including a three-crown symbol. Those traces come from an unusual chapter in its past.
Columbus named the island in 1493 after his brother Bartolomeo, but the French were the first to settle it, in 1648. France sold it to Sweden in 1784. The Swedes named the main town Gustavia, to honor King Gustav III, and opened it as a free port, and the island thrived as a trading and supply stop while colonial powers fought through the 18th century. France bought it back in 1877 and placed it under Guadeloupe. Swedish street and town names stayed, and so did free port status. Islanders voted to leave Guadeloupe in 2003, and in 2007 Saint Barthelemy became its own collectivity. Hurricane Irma did heavy damage in 2017.
Did you know?
- Washington, D.C. is more than eight times as big as Saint Barthelemy.
- Morne du Vitet, the island's high point, is 286 meters above the sea.
- Saint Barthelemy's median age is a fairly high 47.7 years.
Want to test yourself? The random flag generator has a quiz mode, and the full flags of the world page shows every flag at once.
Questions about Saint Barthélemy
What is the capital of Saint Barthelemy?
Gustavia, a name given by the Swedes in honor of King Gustav III.
What currency is used in Saint Barthelemy?
The euro.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.