Gustavia (pop. roughly 3000) is the main town of the island of St. Barthelemy (also known as Saint Barts). It was named after King Gustav III of Sweden. St. Barts was a French possession originally, and the area 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. The island was sold back to France in 1878.
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 capital for the island.