The Wonderous Tropic Island Of Saint Helena

Saint Helena is a volcanic tropical island in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of Rio de Janeiro and west of the mouth of the Cunene River, which marks the border between Namibia and Angola in southwestern Africa. It is part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha.

Jamestown, Saint Helena, Photo. Wondermondo

It was named after Saint Helena of Constantinople and is one of the most remote islands in the world, and was uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese in 1502. It was an important stopover for ships sailing to Europe from Asia and South Africa for centuries. French Military officer Napoleon Bonaparte was the island’s most famous resident although he was there against his will as he was imprisoned there in exile by the British. He would eventually die in Saint Helena in the year 1821 at the age of 51.
Saint Helena has three smaller dependencies: Ascension Island which is the site of a US Air Force auxiliary airfield; Tristan da Cunha is home to a very small community reliant on fishing for income and Gough Island has a meteorological station.

The most magnificent house on the island, however, is that of the governor which embodies the grand elegance 18th-century England. There are marvelous land tortoises on the grounds, including one purported to be the oldest living vertebrate in the world.
Jamestown is the capital and main town of Saint Helena and it is located in a narrow valley between steep cliffs. All visitors to Saint Helena arrive at “The Wharf” in Jamestown.
The official language of Saint Helena is English. However, it is often spoken with a strong accent and using ordinary English words in unusual ways.