Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

Background

Saint Helena is a British Overseas Territory situated off the African coast in the South Atlantic Ocean, comprising Saint Helena, Ascension Island, and the Tristan da Cunha island group.

Saint Helena: This island was devoid of inhabitants when the Portuguese stumbled upon it in 1502, and British troops were stationed there during the 17th century. It gained notoriety as the location of Napoleon BONAPARTE's exile from 1815 until his demise in 1821, yet its significance as a maritime stop diminished following the Suez Canal's inauguration in 1869. Throughout the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa, thousands of Boer prisoners were held on the island from 1900 to 1903.

Saint Helena is recognized as one of the most isolated inhabited locations globally. In 2005, the British Government pledged to construct an airport on the island. After a protracted period of delays and construction, a commercial flight service to South Africa via Namibia commenced in 2017. The weekly flights from Johannesburg to Saint Helena, with a stop in Windhoek, Namibia, take just over six hours (including the refueling in Windhoek), replacing the mail ship that made a five-day voyage to the island every three weeks.

Ascension Island: This desolate and uninhabited isle was discovered and named by the Portuguese in 1503. To thwart any rescue efforts for NAPOLEON from Saint Helena, the British stationed troops on the island in 1815. It functioned as a supply base for the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron during anti-slavery operations. The island was under Admiralty oversight until 1922, when it became a dependency of Saint Helena. During World War II, the UK allowed the US to build an airfield on Ascension to facilitate transatlantic flights to Africa and conduct anti-submarine operations in the South Atlantic. In the 1960s, the island evolved into a significant space tracking facility for the US. In 1982, Ascension was a vital staging ground for British forces during the Falklands War. It continues to serve as a crucial refueling location in the air-bridge connecting the UK to the South Atlantic.

The island is home to one of four specialized ground antennas that support the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system—the others are located on Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory), Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), and Cape Canaveral, Florida (US). NASA and the US Air Force also operate a Meter-Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) on Ascension, which is part of the deep space surveillance system used for tracking orbital debris that poses risks to spacecraft and astronauts.

Tristan da Cunha: The island group includes Tristan da Cunha, Nightingale, Inaccessible, and Gough Islands. Tristan da Cunha, named after its Portuguese discoverer in 1506, was occupied by British forces in 1816 to avert any rescue attempt for NAPOLEON from Saint Helena. Gough and Inaccessible Islands have been recognized as World Heritage Sites. South Africa leases land for a meteorological station on Gough Island.

Area

Climate

Saint Helena: characterized by a tropical marine climate; mild temperatures, moderated by trade winds

Ascension Island: features a tropical marine climate; mild and semi-arid

Tristan da Cunha: exhibits a temperate marine climate; mild, influenced by trade winds (generally cooler than Saint Helena)

Terrain

the islands in this archipelago are of volcanic nature, linked to the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge

Saint Helena: has a rugged volcanic landscape; consists of small, dispersed plateaus and plains

Ascension: its surface is dominated by lava flows and cinder cones from 44 dormant volcanoes; the terrain elevation increases towards the east

Tristan da Cunha: its coastline is bordered by steep cliffs of the nearly circular island; the slopes of the central volcanic peak are extensively eroded; a narrow coastal plain is situated between The Peak and the cliffs

Land use

Location

located in the South Atlantic Ocean, approximately equidistant from South America and Africa; Ascension Island is positioned 1,300 km (800 mi) to the northwest of Saint Helena; Tristan da Cunha is found 4,300 km (2,700 mi) to the southwest of Saint Helena

Coastline

Saint Helena: 60 km
Ascension Island: NA
Tristan da Cunha (island only): 34 km

Elevation

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2022)

Map references

Africa

Land boundaries

Maritime claims

Natural hazards

presence of active volcanism

volcanism: the volcanoes on Tristan da Cunha (2,060 m) and Nightingale Island (365 m) remain active

Geography - note

Saint Helena is home to at least 40 plant species that are not found anywhere else globally; Ascension Island serves as a nesting site for sea turtles and sooty terns; Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha is the tallest island mountain in the South Atlantic and serves as a significant landmark for maritime routes around southern Africa

Natural resources

fish, lobster

Area - comparative

just over twice the area of Washington, D.C.

Geographic coordinates

Saint Helena: 15°57′ S, 5°42′ W

Ascension Island: 7°57′ S, 14°22′ W

Population distribution

Saint Helena: the population is primarily located in and around the capital, Jamestown, in the northwest, along with another significant group in the interior Longwood area

Ascension: the majority of the population resides in and around Georgetown

Tristan da Cunha: most of the nearly 300 residents live in the northern coastal town of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas

Languages

English

Religions

Anglican 63.2%, unspecified 11.4%, no religion 9%, Jehovah's Witness 3.8%, Baptist 2.3%, Salvation Army 2%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.9%, New Apostolic 1.6%, other Christian 1.4%, other 1.1% (2021 est.)

Sex ratio

Birth rate

9.31 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

8.55 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Median age

Population

Nationality

Urbanization

Age structure

Ethnic groups

St. Helena 82.1%, UK 7.6%, South Africa 3.6%, Ascension 2.8%, other 3.9% (2021 estimate)

Dependency ratios

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.61 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

Infant mortality rate

Population growth rate

0.08% (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.79 (2025 est.)

Population distribution

Saint Helena: the population is primarily situated in and around the capital, Jamestown, located in the northwest, with another notable concentration in the interior Longwood area.

Ascension: the majority of residents are found in and around Georgetown.

Tristan da Cunha: most of the approximately 300 residents reside in the northern coastal settlement of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas.

Life expectancy at birth

Sanitation facility access

Major urban areas - population

1,000 JAMESTOWN (capital) (2018)

Climate

Saint Helena: characterized by a tropical marine climate; experiences mild temperatures moderated by trade winds

Ascension Island: features a tropical marine climate; has mild and semi-arid conditions

Tristan da Cunha: classified as having a temperate marine climate; generally mild, with temperatures moderated by trade winds (usually cooler than Saint Helena)

Land use

Urbanization

Environmental issues

wildlife on Saint Helena is at risk due to development pressures

Carbon dioxide emissions

Flag

description: The flag features blue with the UK flag positioned in the upper-left quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield prominently displayed on the right side; the upper section of the shield illustrates a white plover on a yellow background; beneath the bird, there is a depiction of a rocky coastline alongside a three-masted sailing vessel with furled sails that is flying an English flag.

history: This flag has been utilized since 1984, following its commissioning to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Saint Helena's designation as a Crown Colony.

Capital

Suffrage

18 years of age

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

Country name

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Legal system

English common law and local statutes

Government type

Parliamentary democracy

Judicial branch

Executive branch

National holiday

The official birthday of King Charles III is celebrated in either April or June, as determined by the governor (1948).

Dependency status

An overseas territory of the UK.

Political parties

none

Legislative branch

National anthem(s)

National symbol(s)

Saint Helena plover (wire bird)

National coat of arms

The coat of arms for Saint Helena was officially granted on January 30, 1984; the national bird, the Saint Helena plover (Charadrius sanctaehelenae), is depicted at the top of the shield; the lower section features a three-masted sailing ship alongside the mountainous island on the left; beneath the shield is a scroll inscribed with the motto “Loyal and unshakable;” the crest portrays an image of Saint Helena, holding a cross and a flower.

Administrative divisions

Three administrative areas: Ascension, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha.

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US

International organization participation

UPU

Industries

craftsmanship (including furniture, lacework, and intricate wood designs), fishing, and the collection of postage stamps

Exchange rates

Economic overview

upper middle-income economy associated with British territories in the Atlantic Ocean; currency utilized on two of the three islands is native but pegged to the British pound; notable support from the UK government; distinctive communal farming and land structure; economic activities linked to the military; a popular destination for sport fishing

Exports - partners

Singapore 33%, USA 16%, Japan 10%, Turkey 10%, Senegal 8% (2023)

Imports - partners

UK 34%, Greece 26%, Spain 16%, South Africa 15%, Namibia 2% (2023)

Agricultural products

coffee, maize, potatoes, assorted vegetables; seafood, lobsters; livestock; timber

Exports - commodities

fish, shellfish, natural gas, trucks, construction machinery (2023)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, baked goods, plastic items, vehicle parts and accessories, air pumps (2023)

Coal

Petroleum

Electricity

Electricity access

Electricity generation sources

Internet users

Broadcast media

Saint Helena: lacks a local television station; possesses 2 local radio stations, one of which is transmitted to Ascension Island; satellite television channels are rebroadcast on land

Ascension Island: does not have a local TV station; features 1 local radio station and receives broadcasts relayed from the radio station on Saint Helena; broadcasts from the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) are accessible, along with US military television

Tristan da Cunha: has 1 local radio station and receives BFBS television and radio broadcasts

Internet country code

.sh

Telephones - fixed lines

Telephones - mobile cellular

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

Ports

Airports

2 (2025)

Heliports

2 (2025)

Transportation - note

the recently constructed airport on Saint Helena commenced limited operations in 2016, with the inaugural commercial flight occurring in 2017; the military airstrip on Ascension Island is not accessible to civilian flights; Tristan da Cunha lacks air connectivity and has very restricted maritime links.

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VQ-H

Military - note

The obligation for defense lies with the United Kingdom