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History

OVERSEAS COLLECTIVITY

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The history of St Barts is complex. The Saint Barthelemy island was a commune in Guadeloupe. It became an Overseas Collectivity on July 15, 2007, following the promulgation of organic law 2007-223 from January 21, 2007 to the OJ of January 22. Administered by a Territorial Council of 19 members and an Executive Council of 7 members, the Collectivity is headed by the President of the Territorial Council, Mr. Xavier LÉDÉE. It is represented in the Senate by a Senator, Ms. Micheline JACQUES. Here is the official website of the Collectivity: http://www.comstbarth.fr/

HISTORY OF ST BARTS : FROM COLUMBUS TO THE PRESENT DAY

1
The Discovery by Christopher Columbus In 1493, during his second voyage, Christopher Columbus set foot on Ouanalao, an island inhabited by the Carib Indians, and renamed it in honor of his brother Bartholomeo.
3
The Swedish Era and Return to France The island was traded to Sweden in 1784, experiencing a period of prosperity under the Swedish crown. However, in 1878, it was returned to France following a referendum.
2
Colonization and Resistance French attempts at colonization began in 1648, but the island saw a series of resistance, particularly from the natives. It was not until 1659 that the French establishment became stable.
4
Modernization and Opening to the World In the 20th century, Saint Barthélemy opened up to the world with infrastructures such as the airport and a significant rise in tourism, propelling the island onto the international scene.

THE COAT OF ARMS OF THE ISLAND

In 1977, at the request of the French archives directorate, each commune and department had to acquire a “symbolic urban mark”. We find on the coat of arms of Saint-Barthélemy several strong symbols of its eventful history: The 3 fleur-de-lis of the Kings of France remind us that the island was French from 1648 to 1785. Since 1878, it has been part of the territory of France:

The Maltese cross evokes its possession by the Order of Malta from 1651 to 1665.
The three crowns of the Kings of Sweden show his belonging to Sweden from 1785 to 1878
A wall crown is the symbol worn by the Greek goddesses protectors of cities and that cities have taken over since the empire.
The two pelicans recall the frequentation of the island by these birds including they have become one of the emblems.
The motto “OUANALAO” is the Caribbean name for the island of Saint Barthélemy.