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Africa :: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha (overseas territory of the UK)

- ## Introduction :: SAINT HELENA, ASCENSION, AND TRISTAN DA CUNHA

- Background:
  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 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 hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas (the others are on Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory), Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), and at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US)) that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system. NASA and the US Air Force also operate a Meter-Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) on Ascension as part of the deep space surveillance system for tracking orbital debris, which can be a hazard to spacecraft and astronauts.
  Tristan da Cunha: The island group consists of Tristan da Cunha, Nightingale, Inaccessible, and Gough Islands. 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.

- ## Geography :: SAINT HELENA, ASCENSION, AND TRISTAN DA CUNHA

- 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
  Geographic coordinates:
  Saint Helena: 15 57 S, 5 42 W
  Ascension Island: 7 57 S, 14 22 W
  Tristan da Cunha island group: 37 15 S, 12 30 W
  Map references:
  Africa
  Area:
  total: 308 sq km
  land: Saint Helena Island 122 sq km; Ascension Island 88 sq km; Tristan da Cunha island group 98 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Area - comparative:
  slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  Saint Helena: 60 km
  Ascension Island: NA
  Tristan da Cunha: 40 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
  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)
  Terrain:
  the islands of this group are of volcanic origin 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; terrain 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
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 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
  Natural resources:
  fish, lobster
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 30.8%
  arable land 10.3%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 20.5%
  forest: 5.1%
  other: 64.1% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  Natural hazards:
  active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha
  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
  Environment - current issues:
  NA
  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

- ## People and Society :: SAINT HELENA, ASCENSION, AND TRISTAN DA CUNHA

- Nationality:
  noun: Saint Helenian(s)
  adjective: Saint Helenian
  note: referred to locally as "Saints"
  Ethnic groups:
  African descent 50%, white 25%, Chinese 25%
  Languages:
  English
  Religions:
  Protestant (Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist), Roman Catholic
  Population:
  7,795
  note: only Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha islands are inhabited, not any of the other nearby islands/islets (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 226
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 16.55% (male 658/female 632)
  15-24 years: 12.06% (male 479/female 461)
  25-54 years: 44.67% (male 1,719/female 1,763)
  55-64 years: 12.6% (male 519/female 463)
  65 years and over: 14.12% (male 560/female 541) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Median age:
  total: 41 years
  male: 41 years
  female: 41 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0.24% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Birth rate:
  9.88 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Death rate:
  7.44 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 114
  Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 84
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 39.4% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: -0.59% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  JAMESTOWN (capital) 1,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  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: 1.12 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 14.19 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 16.75 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 11.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 79.36 years
  male: 76.42 years
  female: 82.44 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 45
  Total fertility rate:
  1.58 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA

- ## Government :: SAINT HELENA, ASCENSION, AND TRISTAN DA CUNHA

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha
  conventional short form: none
  Dependency status:
  overseas territory of the UK
  Government type:
  NA
  Capital:
  name: Jamestown
  geographic coordinates: 15 56 S, 5 43 W
  time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  3 administrative areas; Ascension, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha
  Independence:
  none (overseas territory of the UK)
  National holiday:
  Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, third Monday in April (1926)
  Constitution:
  several previous; latest effective 1 September 2009 (The St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009) (2015)
  Legal system:
  English common law and local statutes
  Citizenship:
  see United Kingdom
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
  head of government: Governor Mark CAPES (since 29 October 2011)
  cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, 3 ex-officio officers, and 5 elected members of the Legislative Council
  elections/appointments: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch
  note: the constitution order provides for an administrator for Ascension and Tristan da Cunha appointed by the governor
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Legislative Council (17 seats including the speaker and deputy speaker; 12 members directly elected in a single countrywide constituency by simple majority vote and 3 ex-officio members - the chief secretary, financial secretary, and attorney general; members serve 4-year terms)
  note: each voter can vote for up to 12 candidates; the Constitution Order provides for separate Island Councils for both Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
  elections: last held on 17 July 2013 (next to be held in 2017)
  election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 12
  Judicial branch:
  highest resident 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); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
  judge selection and term of office: court judges' appointments and tenures NA
  subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court; Small Claims Court; Juvenile Court
  Political parties and leaders:
  none
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  other: private sector; unions
  International organization participation:
  UPU
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  none (overseas territory of the UK)
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  none (overseas territory of the UK)
  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
  National symbol(s):
  Saint Helena plover (bird)
  National anthem:
  note: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

- ## Economy :: SAINT HELENA, ASCENSION, AND TRISTAN DA CUNHA

- 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.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $31.1 million (FY09/10 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 228
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $NA
  GDP - real growth rate:
  NA%
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $7,800 (FY09/10 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: NA%
  industry: NA%
  services: NA%
  Agriculture - products:
  coffee, corn, potatoes, vegetables; fish, lobster; livestock; timber
  Industries:
  construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing, collectible postage stamps
  Industrial production growth rate:
  NA%
  Labor force:
  2,486 (1998 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 227
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 6%
  industry: 48%
  services: 46% (1987 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  14% (1998 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $10.77 million
  expenditures: $26.45 million
  note: revenue data reflect locally raised revenues only; the budget deficit is resolved by grant aid from the UK (FY06/07 est.)
  Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  4% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 151
  Exports:
  $19 million (2004 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Exports - commodities:
  fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), coffee, handicrafts
  Imports:
  $20.53 million (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 221
  Imports - commodities:
  food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts
  Debt - external:
  $NA
  Exchange rates:
  Saint Helenian pounds (SHP) per US dollar -
  0.607 (2014)
  0.6391 (2013)
  0.63 (2012)
  0.624 (2011)
  0.6472 (2010)

- ## Energy :: SAINT HELENA, ASCENSION, AND TRISTAN DA CUNHA

- Electricity - production:
  8 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 217
  Electricity - consumption:
  7.44 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 216
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  5,000 kW (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 213
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 27
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 189
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 187
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 123
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 187
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 129
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  60 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 211
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 130
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  63.12 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 132
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  12,080 Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210

- ## Communications :: SAINT HELENA, ASCENSION, AND TRISTAN DA CUNHA

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total: 3,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 211
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: can communicate worldwide
  domestic: automatic digital network
  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)
  Broadcast media:
  Saint 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 Saint 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)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  Saint Helena: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
  Ascension: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2005)
  Television broadcast stations:
  0 (3 television channels are received via satellite and distributed by UHF) (2005)
  Internet country code:
  .sh; note - Ascension Island assigned .ac
  Internet users:
  total: 900
  percent of population: 11.8% (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 214
  Communications - note:
  South Africa maintains a meteorological station on Gough Island

- ## Transportation :: SAINT HELENA, ASCENSION, AND TRISTAN DA CUNHA

- Airports:
  2 (2015)
  country comparison to the world: 232
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 2
  over 3,047 m: 1 Ascension Island (Wideawake Field)
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 Saint Helena; note - opening to commercial flights in February 2016 (2015)
  Roadways:
  total: 198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 20 km)
  paved: 168 km (Saint Helena 118 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km)
  unpaved: 30 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Tristan da Cunha 10 km) (2002)
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s):
  Saint Helena: Jamestown
  Ascension Island: Georgetown
  Tristan da Cunha: Calshot Harbor (Edinburgh)
  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

- ## Military :: SAINT HELENA, ASCENSION, AND TRISTAN DA CUNHA

- Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 1,565
  females age 16-49: 1,579 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 49
  female: 48 (2010 est.)
  Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of the UK

- ## Transnational Issues :: SAINT HELENA, ASCENSION, AND TRISTAN DA CUNHA

- Disputes - international:
  none

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