Dialing code +290
ISO 2 code SH
ISO 3 code SHN
Capital Jamestown
Main Language English
Currency Pound (SHP)
GDP $18.0 million 206th
Population 7,460 233rd

Geography

Continent Africa
Location islands in the South Atlantic Ocean about midway between South America and Africa; Ascension Island lies 700 nm northwest of Saint Helena; Tristan da Cunha lies 2 300 nm southwest of Saint Helena
Land 410 km2 204th
Terrain The islands of this group result from volcanic activity associated with the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge Saint Helena: rugged volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains Ascension: surface covered by lava flows and cinder cones of 44 dormant volcanoes; ground rises to the east Tristan da Cunha: sheer cliffs line the coastline of the nearly circular island; the flanks of the central volcanic peak are deeply dissected; narrow coastal plain lies between The Peak and the coastal cliffs
Climate Saint Helena: tropical marine; mild tempered by trade winds Ascension Island: tropical marine; mild semi-arid Tristan da Cunha: temperate marine; mild tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)
Natural Hazards The islands of this group result from volcanic activity associated with the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge Saint Helena: rugged volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains Ascension: surface covered by lava flows and cinder cones of 44 dormant volcanoes; ground rises to the east Tristan da Cunha: sheer cliffs line the coastline of the nearly circular island; the flanks of the central volcanic peak are deeply dissected; narrow coastal plain lies between The Peak and the coastal cliffs
Note: Saint Helena harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere else in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns; Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha is the highest island mountain in the South Atlantic and a prominent landmark on the sea lanes around southern Africa

Neighbouring Countries

History

Saint Helena is a British Overseas Territory consisting of Saint Helena and Ascension Islands and the island group of Tristan da Cunha. Saint Helena: Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502 Saint Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th century. It acquired fame as the place of Napoleon BONAPARTE's exile from 1815 until his death in 1821 but its importance as a port of call declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. During the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa several thousand Boer prisoners were confined on the island between 1900 and 1903. Ascension Island: This barren and uninhabited island was discovered and named by the Portuguese in 1503. The British garrisoned the island in 1815 to prevent a rescue of Napoleon from Saint Helena. It served as a provisioning station for the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron on anti-slavery patrol. The island remained under Admiralty control until 1922 when it became a dependency of Saint Helena. During World War II the UK permitted the US to construct an airfield on Ascension in support of trans-Atlantic flights to Africa and anti-submarine operations in the South Atlantic. In the 1960s the island became an important space tracking station for the US. In 1982 Ascension was an essential staging area for British forces during the Falklands War. It remains a critical refueling point in the air-bridge from the UK to the South Atlantic. Tristan da Cunha: The island group consists of the islands of Tristan da Cunha Nightingale Inaccessible and Gough. Tristan da Cunha is named after its Portuguese discoverer (1506); it was garrisoned by the British in 1816 to prevent any attempt to rescue Napoleon from Saint Helena. Gough and Inaccessible Islands have been designated World Heritage Sites. South Africa leases a site for a meteorological station on Gough Island.
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Demographics

Life Expectancy 78.44 years 37th
Median Age 37.6 years 45th
Birth Rate 11.13 births/1,000 population 160th
Death Rate 6.68 births/1,000 population 134th
Sex Ratio 0.9 male(s)/female 36th
Literacy 97.0% 73rd
Population

7460

Transportation

Roadways 198 km 196th
Railways None km
Airports 1 201st
Waterways None km
Heliports None
Airports paved 1 119th

Economy

Currency Pound (SHP)
GDP $18.0 million 206th
GDP per capita (PPP) $2500 156th