Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
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| Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha | |
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| Conventional long name | Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha |
| National anthem | "God Save the King", "My Saint Helena Island" (Saint Helena) |
| Official languages | English |
| Capital | Jamestown |
| Largest settlement | Half Tree Hollow |
| Demonym | Saint Helenian |
| Government type | Dependent territory |
| Leader title1 | Monarch |
| Leader name1 | Charles III |
| Leader title2 | Governor |
| Leader name2 | Nigel Phillips |
| Sovereignty type | British Overseas Territories |
| Area km2 | 394 |
| Population estimate | 5,633 |
| Population estimate year | 2022 |
| Currency | Saint Helena pound (SHP), Pound sterling (GBP) |
| Time zone | GMT (Saint Helena), GMT (Ascension), GMT (Tristan da Cunha) |
| Drives on | left |
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. This British Overseas Territory is a remote volcanic archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, comprising the islands of Saint Helena, Ascension Island, and the Tristan da Cunha island group. Governed as a single entity under the Crown, its constituent parts are separated by vast oceanic distances, with Saint Helena lying approximately 1,200 miles from the southwest coast of Africa. The territory is renowned for its unique endemic biodiversity and its profound historical role, most famously as the final place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte.
Geography
The territory's islands are of volcanic origin and are situated along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Saint Helena, the historic core, features a rugged landscape with high central peaks like Diana's Peak and deep valleys such as Jamestown's steep-sided James Valley. Ascension Island is a barren, arid volcanic island with a large garrison, the settlement of Georgetown, and the green peak of Green Mountain. The Tristan da Cunha group, the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, is dominated by the active volcano Queen Mary's Peak on the main island, with outlying islands including Inaccessible Island and Nightingale Islands. The climate varies from the subtropical maritime climate of Saint Helena to the more temperate and wetter conditions of Tristan da Cunha.
History
Saint Helena was discovered in 1502 by the Portuguese navigator João da Nova and later became a vital reprovisioning stop for ships of the British East India Company sailing to India. Its global significance was cemented when Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled there by the British government following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo; he died at Longwood House in 1821. Ascension Island was garrisoned by the Royal Navy in 1815 to prevent any rescue of Napoleon, and later became a critical communications hub, notably for Cable & Wireless. Tristan da Cunha was settled in the early 19th century, primarily by personnel from the British Army and a few women from Saint Helena, evolving into a unique, isolated community.
Government and politics
The territory is a British Overseas Territory, with executive authority vested in the British monarch, represented locally by the Governor of Saint Helena, based in Jamestown. Each island has its own administrative structure: Saint Helena has an elected Legislative Council of Saint Helena, Ascension Island is governed by an Island Council, and Tristan da Cunha has its own Tristan da Cunha Island Council. Key political figures include the current Governor, Nigel Phillips, and the territory's affairs in London are managed by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Demographics
The population is small and predominantly resides in a few main settlements. On Saint Helena, most people live in the capital Jamestown and the larger community of Half Tree Hollow. The inhabitants, known as Saints, are largely descended from British settlers, East India Company employees, and formerly enslaved peoples. Ascension Island's population is transient, consisting mainly of contract workers and personnel associated with the Royal Air Force base at RAF Ascension Island and the BBC World Service Atlantic Relay Station. The community on Tristan da Cunha, numbering just over 200, is of mixed European descent and maintains a distinct cultural identity.
Economy
The economy is modest and relies heavily on financial aid from the United Kingdom's Department for International Development. Historically, Saint Helena's economy was based on supplying passing ships and the cultivation of New Zealand flax. Today, the main economic activities include limited fishing, small-scale agriculture, and public administration. A significant recent development is the operation of Saint Helena Airport, intended to boost tourism. On Ascension Island, the economy is supported by the operations of the Royal Air Force, the United States Space Force, and associated services. Tristan da Cunha's economy centers on commercial crayfish fishing, managed by the Tristan da Cunha Fishery, and the sale of postage stamps to collectors worldwide.
Transport and communications
Transport links are challenging due to extreme remoteness. Saint Helena Airport, opened in 2016, provides a vital air link, with scheduled flights operated by Airlink to Johannesburg. The RMS St Helena formerly provided the only sea access until its retirement. Ascension Island is served by a military airfield, RAF Ascension Island, with flights operated by the Royal Air Force and Atlas Air for the United States Space Force. Tristan da Cunha has no airport; access is solely by sea via a limited number of scheduled voyages on fishing vessels from Cape Town. Telecommunications are provided via satellite links, with Sure operating services across the territory, and Ascension Island hosts important satellite tracking stations for organizations like the European Space Agency.