St Helena: British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic

Saint Helena was the place where Napoleon, the great French Emperor was kept in exile from 1815 to 1821 when he died. St Helena although first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502 became a British East India colony, later a Crown colony before becoming one of the British Overseas Territory in 1981. St Helena also comprises the Islands of Ascension and Tristan da Cunha and was a popular stop for seafarers before the opening of the Suez Canal and discovery of alternate trade routes.

Saint Helena Facts and Figures:

· National Name: St Helena (British Overseas Territory)
· Capital: Jamestown
· Total area: 122 sq km
· Population: 4,000
· Currency: St Helena Pound (equal to British pound)
· Languages: English
· Ethnicity/ Races: NA
· Religion: Christianity
· GDP (Per Capita): $2,500
· Life Expectancy: 78.27 years (2008 est.)
· Literacy: Male: 97%, Female: 98%

St Helena Geography and Climate:
St Helena is an island group of volcanic origins and the mother island measures only 122 square kms. Forests are present in the centre of Saint Helena, some of which have been planted under the Millennium Forest Project. The coasts of St Helena are comparatively barren, warmer, drier and covered in volcanic rock. There are also a number of endemic species in St Helena Island.

Being located in the South Atlantic Ocean midway between African and South America, St Helena enjoys a tropical marine climate, which is mild and tempered by the trade winds.

Saint Helena Culture:
St Helena is aprsely populated with approximately 4,000 inhabitants who are mostly descendants of Europe, China and Slaves. The Island group has witnessed steady migration owing to relative isolation from other countries and lack of communication facilities including airports. The British government has taken steps to address the high migration rate by planning to construct the island’s first airport by 2011-12.

St Helena Economy:
St Helena economy is largely dependent on grants from the British government and tourism is the main economic driver of the region. Most of the tourist income is centred around the place of Napoleon’s imprisonment. St Helena produces and exports Tungi Spirit, which is made from the fruit of the prickly or cactus pears.

Saint Helena Tourist Attractions:
St Helena has some good places to visit for the adventurous tourist, adventurous because the Island has no air links, just the Royal Mail Ship for transportation. Most of the tourists visit the island group to visit the Longwood House, the place where Napoleon was imprisoned by the British from 1815 until his death in 1821. Another place to visit in the St Helena Island is the Briars, the teahouse where Napoleon spent some time in exile.

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