Broadcast media [time series]

no local TV broadcasters; 3 FM radio channels (2 via repeater)

Internet country code [time series]

.bl; note - .gp, the Internet country code for Guadeloupe, and .fr, the Internet country code for France, might also be encountered

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: fully integrated access domestic: direct dial capability with both fixed and wireless systems international: country code - 590; undersea fiber-optic cable provides voice and data connectivity to Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe (2008)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The economy of Saint Barthelemy is based upon high-end tourism and duty-free luxury commerce, serving visitors primarily from North America. The luxury hotels and villas host 70,000 visitors each year with another 130,000 arriving by boat. The relative isolation and high cost of living inhibits mass tourism. The construction and public sectors also enjoy significant investment in support of tourism. With limited fresh water resources, all food must be imported, as must all energy resources and most manufactured goods. Employment is strong and attracts labor from Brazil and Portugal.

Exchange rates [time series]

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7838 (2012 est.) 0.7185 (2011 est.) 0.755 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.)

Area [time series]

21 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

less than an eighth of the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne du Vitet 286 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

with no natural rivers or streams, fresh water is in short supply, especially in summer, and provided by desalinization of sea water, collection of rain water, or imported via water tanker

Geographic coordinates [time series]

17 90 N, 62 85 W

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Location [time series]

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean; located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Saint Barthelemy lies east of the US Virgin Islands

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Natural resources [time series]

has few natural resources, its beaches being the most important

Terrain [time series]

hilly, almost completely surrounded by shallow-water reefs, with plentiful beaches

Capital [time series]

name: Gustavia geographic coordinates: 17 53 N, 62 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

4 October 1958 (French Constitution) (2013)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Overseas Collectivity of Saint Barthelemy conventional short form: Saint Barthelemy local long form: Collectivite d'outre mer de Saint-Barthelemy local short form: Saint-Barthelemy abbreviation: Saint-Barth (French); St. Barts or St. Barths (English)

Dependency status [time series]

overseas collectivity of France

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

none (overseas collectivity of France)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (overseas collectivity of France)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012), represented by Prefect Philippe CHOPIN (since 16 November 2011) head of government: President of the Territorial Council Bruno MAGRAS (since 16 July 2007) cabinet: Executive Council; note - there is also an advisory, economic, social, and cultural council (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council elected by the members of the Council for a five-year term; election last held on 16 July 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Bruno MAGRAS unanimously elected president by the Territorial Council

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

the flag of France is used

Independence [time series]

none (overseas collectivity of France)

International organization participation [time series]

UPU

Legal system [time series]

French civil law

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Territorial Council (19 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 18 March 2012 (next to be held in July 2017) election results: percent of vote by party - SBA 73.8%, Ensemble pour Saint-Barthelemy 15.9%, Tous Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy 10.3%; seats by party - SBA 16, Ensemble pour Saint-Barthelemy 2, Tous Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy 1 note: Saint Barthelemy elects one seat to the French Senate; election last held on 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1; one seat (shared with Saint Martin) was elected to the French National Assembly on 17 June 1012 (next to be held by June 2017); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 1

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "L'Hymne a St. Barthelemy" (Hymn to St. Barthelemy) lyrics/music: Isabelle Massart DERAVIN/Michael VALENTI note: local anthem in use since 1999; as a collectivity of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

National holiday [time series]

Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1789); note - local holiday is St. Barthelemy Day, 24 August (1572)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Action-Equilibre-Transparence [Maxime DESOUCHES] Ensemble pour Saint-Barthelemy [Benoit CHAUVIN] Saint-Barth d'Abord! or SBA [Bruno MAGRAS] Tous Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy [Karine MIOT-RICHARD]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

The Marine Reserve (protection of fish) Rotary Club

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age, universal

Background [time series]

Discovered in 1493 by Christopher COLUMBUS who named it for his brother Bartolomeo, Saint Barthelemy was first settled by the French in 1648. In 1784, the French sold the island to Sweden, who renamed the largest town Gustavia, after the Swedish King GUSTAV III, and made it a free port; the island prospered as a trade and supply center during the colonial wars of the 18th century. France repurchased the island in 1877 and took control the following year. It was placed under the administration of Guadeloupe. Saint Barthelemy retained its free port status along with various Swedish appellations such as Swedish street and town names, and the three-crown symbol on the coat of arms. In 2003 the populace of the island voted to secede from Guadeloupe, and in 2007 the island became a French overseas collectivity.

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,495 females age 16-49: 1,263 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 23 female: 21 (2010 est.)

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of France

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 17.8% (male 664/female 631) 15-24 years: 6.9% (male 262/female 237) 25-54 years: 46.1% (male 1,829/female 1,524) 55-64 years: 15% (male 590/female 501) 65 years and over: 13.3% (male 514/female 515) (2014 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

white, Creole (mulatto), black, Guadeloupe Mestizo (French-East Asia)

Languages [time series]

French (primary), English

Median age [time series]

total: 42.4 years male: 42.4 years female: 42.3 years (2014 est.)

Population [time series]

7,267 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 229

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jehovah's Witnesses

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.2 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Airports [time series]

1 (2013) country comparison to the world: 234

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Gustavia

Transportation - note [time series]

nearest airport for international flights is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located on Sint Maarten