2014 Edition

Background

Saint Helena is a British Overseas Territory consisting of Saint Helena and Ascension Islands, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha. 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. 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 transatlantic 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. 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.

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 transatlantic 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.

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.

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.

Area

308 sq km Saint Helena Island 122 sq km; Ascension Island 88 sq km; Tristan da Cunha island group 98 sq km 0 sq km

total

308 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds tropical marine; mild, semi-arid temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)

Ascension Island

tropical marine; mild, semi-arid

Saint Helena

tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds

Tristan da Cunha

temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)

Coastline

60 km NA 40 km

Ascension Island

NA

Saint Helena

60 km

Tristan da Cunha

40 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,060 m; Green Mountain on Ascension Island 859 m; Mount Actaeon on Saint Helena Island 818 m

highest point

Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,060 m; Green Mountain on Ascension Island 859 m; Mount Actaeon on Saint Helena Island 818 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Geographic coordinates

15 57 S, 5 42 W 7 57 S, 14 22 W 37 15 S, 12 30 W

Ascension Island

7 57 S, 14 22 W

Saint Helena

15 57 S, 5 42 W

Tristan da Cunha island group

37 15 S, 12 30 W

Geography - note

Saint Helena harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown elsewhere 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

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

10.26% 0% 89.74% (2011)

arable land

10.26%

other

89.74% (2011)

permanent crops

0%

Location

islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa; Ascension Island lies 1,300 km (800 mi) northwest of Saint Helena; Tristan da Cunha lies 4,300 km (2,700 mi) southwest of Saint Helena

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha the island volcanoes of Tristan da Cunha (elev. 2,060 m) and Nightingale Island (elev. 365 m) experience volcanic activity; Tristan da Cunha erupted in 1962 and Nightingale in 2004

volcanism

the island volcanoes of Tristan da Cunha (elev. 2,060 m) and Nightingale Island (elev. 365 m) experience volcanic activity; Tristan da Cunha erupted in 1962 and Nightingale in 2004

Natural resources

fish, lobster

Terrain

the islands of this group result from volcanic activity associated with the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains surface covered by lava flows and cinder cones of 44 dormant volcanoes; ground rises to the east 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

Ascension

surface covered by lava flows and cinder cones of 44 dormant volcanoes; ground rises to the east

Saint Helena

rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains

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

Age structure

16.9% (male 669/female 643) 11.9% (male 471/female 455) 45.1% (male 1,737/female 1,773) 12.4% (male 508/female 455) 13.2% (male 543/female 522) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

16.9% (male 669/female 643)

15-24 years

11.9% (male 471/female 455)

25-54 years

45.1% (male 1,737/female 1,773)

55-64 years

12.4% (male 508/female 455)

65 years and over

13.2% (male 543/female 522) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

10.03 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Death rate

7.33 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Ethnic groups

African descent 50%, white 25%, Chinese 25%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

14.71 deaths/1,000 live births 17.35 deaths/1,000 live births 11.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

11.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

14.71 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English

Life expectancy at birth

79.21 years 76.27 years 82.29 years (2014 est.)

female

82.29 years (2014 est.)

total population

79.21 years

Literacy

age 20 and over can read and write 97% 97% 98% (1987 est.)

definition

age 20 and over can read and write

female

98% (1987 est.)

male

97%

total population

97%

Major urban areas - population

JAMESTOWN (capital) 1,000 (2011)

Median age

40.5 years 40.5 years 40.4 years (2014 est.)

female

40.4 years (2014 est.)

male

40.5 years

total

40.5 years

Nationality

Saint Helenian(s) Saint Helenian referred to locally as "Saints"

adjective

Saint Helenian

noun

Saint Helenian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Population

7,776 only Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha islands are inhabited, not any of the other nearby islands/islets (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.27% (2014 est.)

Religions

Protestant (Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist), Roman Catholic

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.01 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.58 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Urbanization

39.5% of total population (2011) -0.87% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

-0.87% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

39.5% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

3 administrative areas; Ascension, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha

Capital

Jamestown 15 56 S, 5 43 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

15 56 S, 5 43 W

name

Jamestown

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; latest effective 1 September 2009 (The St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009) (2013)

Country name

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha none

conventional long form

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

conventional short form

none

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) Governor Mark CAPES (since 29 October 2011) the constitution order provides for an administrator for Ascension and Tristan da Cunha appointed by the governor Colin WELLS (since 27 October 2011) Alex MITHAM (since 23 September 2013) Executive Council consists of the governor, 3 ex-officio officers, and 5 elected members of the Legislative Council none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch

Administrator Ascension Island

Colin WELLS (since 27 October 2011)

Administrator Tristan da Cunha

Alex MITHAM (since 23 September 2013)

cabinet

Executive Council consists of the governor, 3 ex-officio officers, and 5 elected members of the Legislative Council

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

elections

none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch

head of government

Governor Mark CAPES (since 29 October 2011)

Flag description

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the upper third of the shield depicts a white plover (wire bird) on a yellow field; the remainder of the shield depicts a rocky coastline on the left, offshore is a three-masted sailing ship with sails furled but flying an English flag

Government type

NA

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

UPU

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 2 justices); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice - a non-resident - and NA judges) note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) court judges' appointments and tenures NA Magistrate's Court; Small Claims Court; Juvenile Court

highest court(s)

Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 2 justices); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice - a non-resident - and NA judges)

judge selection and term of office

court judges' appointments and tenures NA

subordinate courts

Magistrate's Court; Small Claims Court; Juvenile Court

Legal system

English common law and local statutes

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Council (17 seats, including a speaker and deputy speaker, 12 elected, and three ex-officio members; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) the Constitution Order provides for separate Island Councils for both Ascension and Tristan da Cunha last held on 4 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2013) percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 12

election results

percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 12

elections

last held on 4 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2013)

National anthem

as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)

National symbol(s)

Saint Helena plover (bird)

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

private sector; unions

other

private sector; unions

Suffrage

18 years of age

Agriculture - products

coffee, corn, potatoes, vegetables; fish, lobster; livestock; timber

Budget

$10.21 million $25.09 million revenue data reflect locally raised revenues only; the budget deficit is resolved by grant aid from the UK (FY06/07 est.)

expenditures

$25.09 million

revenues

$10.21 million

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

The economy depends largely on financial assistance from the UK, which amounted to about $27 million in FY06/07 or more than twice the level of annual budgetary revenues. The local population earns income from fishing, raising livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, 25% of the work force has left to seek employment on Ascension Island, on the Falklands, and in the UK.

Exchange rates

Saint Helenian pounds (SHP) per US dollar - 0.6307 (2014) 0.6391 (2013) 0.6472 (2010) 0.6175 (2009) 0.5302 (2008)

Exports

$19 million (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), coffee, handicrafts

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$7,800 (FY09/10 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

NA%

GDP (official exchange rate)

$NA

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$31.1 million (FY09/10 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$20.53 million (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing, collectible postage stamps

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4% (2012 est.)

Labor force

2,486 (1998 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

6% 48% 46% (1987 est.)

agriculture

6%

industry

48%

services

46% (1987 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

14% (1998 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

9,100 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

7.44 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

5,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

8 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

100 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

63 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

St. Helena has no local TV station; 2 local radio stations, one of which is relayed to Ascension Island; satellite TV stations rebroadcast terrestrially; Ascension Island has no local TV station but has 1 local radio station and receives relays of broadcasts from 1 radio station on St. Helena; broadcasts from the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) are available, as well as TV services for the US military; Tristan da Cunha has 1 local radio station and receives BFBS TV and radio broadcasts (2007)

Communications - note

South Africa maintains a meteorological station on Gough Island

Internet country code

.sh; note - Ascension Island assigned .ac

Internet hosts

6,729 (2012)

Internet users

900 (2009)

Telephone system

can communicate worldwide automatic digital network country code (Saint Helena) - 290, (Ascension Island) - 247; international direct dialing; satellite voice and data communications; satellite earth stations - 5 (Ascension Island - 4, Saint Helena - 1) (2010)

domestic

automatic digital network

general assessment

can communicate worldwide

international

country code (Saint Helena) - 290, (Ascension Island) - 247; international direct dialing; satellite voice and data communications; satellite earth stations - 5 (Ascension Island - 4, Saint Helena - 1) (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

3,000 (2012)

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1 (2013)

total

1

Ports and terminals

Jamestown Georgetown Calshot Harbor (Edinburgh)

Ascension Island

Georgetown

Saint Helena

Jamestown

Tristan da Cunha

Calshot Harbor (Edinburgh)

Roadways

198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 20 km) 168 km (Saint Helena 118 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) 30 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) (2002)

total

198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 20 km)

unpaved

30 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) (2002)

Transportation - note

there is no air connection to Saint Helena or Tristan da Cunha; construction on the new international airport for Saint Helena began in 2012 with an estimated completion date of late 2015 or early 2016; the new airport will have a runway of 1,550 m capable of handling B737/A319 size aircraft

Manpower fit for military service

1,565 1,579 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,579 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,565

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

48 (2010 est.)

female

48 (2010 est.)

male

49

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Disputes - international

none