Page last updated on January 7, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa; Ascension Island lies 700 nm northwest of Saint Helena; Tristan da Cunha lies 2,300 nm southwest of Saint Helena
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 308 sq km
country comparison to the world: 209
land: Saint Helena Island 122 sq km; Ascension Island 88 sq km; Tristan da Cunha island group 98 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Saint Helena: 60 km
Ascension Island: NA
Tristan da Cunha: 40 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the islands of this group result from volcanic activity 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; ground 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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish, lobster
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 10.26%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 89.74% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Saint Helenian(s)
adjective: Saint Helenian
note: referred to locally as "Saints"
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
African descent 50%, white 25%, Chinese 25%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Protestant (Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist), Roman Catholic
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,754 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 228
note: only Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha islands are inhabited
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 17.2% (male 679/female 653)
15-24 years: 11.7% (male 464/female 447)
25-54 years: 45.6% (male 1,750/female 1,787)
55-64 years: 12.2% (male 506/female 443)
65 years and over: 13.2% (male 520/female 505) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 40 years
male: 40 years
female: 39.9 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.19 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.22 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 39.5% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: -0.87% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
JAMESTOWN (capital) 1,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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: 1.17 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 15.25 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 109
male: 17.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 79.06 years
country comparison to the world: 46
male: 76.13 years
female: 82.14 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.57 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 20 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 98% (1987 est.)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha
conventional short form: none
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 administrative areas; Ascension, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest effective 1 September 2009 (The St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009) (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English common law and local statutes
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor Mark CAPES (since 29 October 2011)
note: the constitution order provides for an administrator for Ascension and Tristan da Cunha appointed by the governor
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
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
note: the Constitution Order provides for separate Island Councils for both Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
elections: last held on 4 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2013)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 12
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
other: private sector; unions
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Saint Helena plover (bird)
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
note: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$31.1 million (FY09/10 est.)
country comparison to the world: 227
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7,800 (FY09/10 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coffee, corn, potatoes, vegetables; fish, lobster; livestock; timber
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing, philatelic sales
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,486 (1998 est.)
country comparison to the world: 228
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 6%
industry: 48%
services: 46% (1987 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14% (1998 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $10.36 million
expenditures: $25.46 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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$19 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), coffee, handicrafts
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$20.53 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Saint Helenian pounds (SHP) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.44 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 183
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
63.12 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 190
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9,100 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 216
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.sh; note - Ascension Island assigned .ac
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,729 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 141
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
900 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 215
Communications - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
South Africa maintains a meteorological station on Gough Island
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 232
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 20 km)
country comparison to the world: 209
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)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s):
Saint Helena: Jamestown
Ascension Island: Georgetown
Tristan da Cunha: Calshot Harbor (Edinburgh)
Transportation - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,565
females age 16-49: 1,579 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 49
female: 48 (2010 est.)
Military:
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of the UK