Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
Saint Helena is a British Overseas Territory off the coast of Africa in the South Atlantic Ocean, and it consists of Saint Helena, Ascension Island, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha. Saint Helena: The island was uninhabited when the Portuguese first discovered it in 1502, and the British garrisoned troops on Saint Helena 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.
- Capital
- Jamestown
- Government
- parliamentary democracy
- Population
- 7,943
- Area
- 394 sq km
- 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;…
- Climate
- Saint Helena: tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds Ascension Island: tropical marine;
- Natural resources
- fish; lobster
- Languages
- English
- Religions
- Anglican 63.2%; unspecified 11.4%; no religion 9%; Jehovah's Witness 3.8%…
- Independence
- none (overseas territory of the UK)
- Administrative divisions
- 3 administrative areas; Ascension, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha
- Currency
- Saint Helena pounds (SHP)
- Export partners
- Singapore 33%; USA 16%; Japan 10%; Turkey 10%…
- Import partners
- UK 34%; Greece 26%; Spain 16%; South Africa 15%…
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain