Saint Barthélemy, commonly known as St. Barts, is an Overseas Collectivity (COM) of France. This means it is a French territory with its own local government but remains under French sovereignty. Historically, the island was a French colony, then was sold to Sweden in 1784 (which is why the capital is named Gustavia), before being sold back to France in 1878. Today, the residents are French citizens, the official language is French, and the currency is the Euro. However, St. Barts has a special status within the European Union; it is an "Overseas Country and Territory" (OCT), meaning it is not part of the Schengen Area and has more autonomy over its local tax laws, which is why it has become a famous tax haven for the global elite. While France oversees matters of defense and international relations, the island is managed by a local Territorial Council. When you land at its famous short-runway airport, you are technically on French soil, but the island operates with a distinct, high-end Caribbean flair that blends Gallic sophistication with tropical luxury, making it the premier playground for billionaires, celebrities, and yacht enthusiasts from around the world.