The Portuguese community is spread across the four corners of the world. Those who have traveled abroad probably have had the experience of listening to the Portuguese language in a busy street or a distant coffee. One of the most fascinating examples of this diaspora is on the island of São Bartolomeu, in Caribbean, about 5600 km from mainland Portugal, where about half of the population is of Portuguese origin, preserving many traditions of our country.
According to the connection between the Portuguese and São Bartolomeu began in the 1980s, when a group of workers moved to the island to build an electric center. This project opened doors to the creation of the first Portuguese construction company in the region. Quickly, the quality of the work of the Portuguese has gained the confidence of local inhabitants and other foreign residents.
Currently, St. Bartolomeu is seen as a true paradise in the Caribbean, where you can hear fado and taste dishes like cod. However, the history of the island was not always marked by hospitality. Discovered by Christopher Colombo in 1493, he was baptized in honor of his brother Bartolomeu. Over the centuries, it has passed through the hands of different powers, such as the Order of Malta, France and Sweden, until returning to French sovereignty in 1877.
In the 1950s, the island began attracting international attention when American millionaire David Rockefeller built a luxurious house in one of its beaches. This exclusivity trend was interrupted in 1995 by Hurricane Luis, which devastated the region. At the time, the Portuguese community had about 250 people, but the reconstruction brought a significant increase, reaching the 2000 Lusos inhabitants in just five years.
Luxury tourism, which flourished in the 2000s, attracted more Portuguese, especially to the construction and services sectors. Today, about 3000 Portuguese, mostly from Minho, live in São Bartolomeu. The community is well integrated, having a cultural association, a market and a restaurant that serves traditional Portuguese dishes and wines.
Although many return to Portugal after a decade, some Portuguese remain on the island, creating family roots. Saint Bartolomeu is a living example of how the Portuguese adapt, prosper and maintain their traditions, even thousands of kilometers from home.
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