Saint Helena (island)

From Wikitravel

Jump to: navigation, search
Flag
Image:sh-flag.png
Quick Facts
Capital Jamestown
Currency Saint Helenian pound (SHP)
Area 122 sq km (only St. Helena Island)
Population 7,317 (July 2002 est.)
Language English
Religion Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic
Electricity 240V/50Hz (UK plug)
Calling Code +290
Internet TLD .sh
Time Zone UTC

Saint Helena Island [1] is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. If you start crossing the Atlantic Ocean at the border between Namibia and Angola, Saint Helena Island will appear just less than half way to Brazil. As the most populous of the United Kingdom's territories in the South Atlantic, it governs the others: Ascension, Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island and their satellites.

[edit] Regions

[edit] Cities

[edit] Other destinations

[edit] Understand

Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, Saint Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th century (to be used as a refreshment station for ships travelling to and from the East). 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. Ascension Island is the site of a US Air Force auxiliary airfield; Gough Island has a meteorological station.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Currently there are no airports on the island, although one is being built and should be ready for flights in 2010.

[edit] By boat

The RMS St Helena does regular round-trips from Cape Town to St Helena, via Luderitz and Walvis Bay, before going on to Ascension Island. Trips from the UK take approximately 2 weeks, whereas trips from Cape Town can take as little as 7 days.

[edit] Get around

No rail on islands.

[edit] Talk

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit] Costs

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Anne's Place, Castle Gardens, Jamestown.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Consulate Hotel, Jamestown.
  • Donny's Bar, Jamestown.
  • The Standard, Jamestown.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Consulate Hotel

[edit] Learn

[edit] Work

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Stay healthy

[edit] Respect

[edit] Contact

This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!