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Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

Thirty-second orientation

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha at a glance

Capital: name: Jamestown geographic coordinates: 15 56 S, 5 43 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: founded in 1659 and named after James, Duke of York, who would become King JAMES II of England; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Population: total: 7,943 (2024 est.) male: 3,978 female: 3,965; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Area: total : 394 sq km land: 122 sq km Saint Helena Island water: 0 sq km 88 sq km Ascension Island, 184 sq km Tristan da Cunha island group (includes Tristan (98 sq km), Inaccessible, Nightingale, and Gough islands); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Nationality / demonym: noun: Saint Helenian(s) adjective: Saint Helenian note: referred to locally as "Saints"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Government: parliamentary democracy; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Languages: English; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05

Claims are attributed · classifications are dated

Claims and contested status

Maintained classification

Dependency or area of special sovereignty

United Kingdom

U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31

A claim’s appearance records that the cited source reports it. It does not constitute an Almanac ruling on sovereignty.

Maintained profile

Classification: Dependency or area of special sovereignty; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31Federal classification and wording follow the current State Department register.
Sovereignty or administration: United Kingdom; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31
Administrative center: Jamestown; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-05 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Saint Helena is a British Overseas Territory off the coast of Africa in the South Atlantic Ocean, and it consists of Saint Helena, Ascension Island, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha. Saint Helena: The island was uninhabited when the Portuguese first discovered it in 1502, and the British garrisoned troops on Saint Helena 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. Saint Helena is one of the most remote populated places in the world. The British Government committed to building an airport on Saint Helena in 2005. After more than a decade of delays and construction, a commercial air service to South Africa via Namibia was inaugurated in 2017. The weekly service to Saint Helena from Johannesburg via Windhoek in Namibia takes just over six hours (including the refueling stop in Windhoek) and replaces the mail ship that had made a five-day journey to the island every three weeks. 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 that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system -- the others are on Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory), Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), and at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US). 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, named after its Portuguese discoverer (1506), 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.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Geography17 fields

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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Area: total : 394 sq km land: 122 sq km Saint Helena Island water: 0 sq km 88 sq km Ascension Island, 184 sq km Tristan da Cunha island group (includes Tristan (98 sq km), Inaccessible, Nightingale, and Gough islands); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, D.C.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land boundaries: total: 0 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Coastline: Saint Helena: 60 km Ascension Island: NA Tristan da Cunha (island only): 34 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Elevation: highest point: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,060 m; Green Mountain on Ascension Island 859 m; Diana's Peak on Saint Helena Island 818 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Natural resources: fish, lobster; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 30.8% (2022 est.) arable land: 10.3% (2022 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.) permanent pasture: 20.5% (2022 est.) forest: 5.1% (2022 est.) other: 64.1% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population distribution: Saint Helena: population is concentrated in and around the capital of Jamestown in the northwest, with another significant cluster in the interior Longwood area Ascension: most of the population lives in and around Georgetown Tristan da Cunha: most of the nearly 300 inhabitants live in the northern coastal town of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Natural hazards: active volcanism volcanism: the volcanoes of Tristan da Cunha (2,060 m) and Nightingale Island (365 m) are active; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

People and Society22 fields

Population: total: 7,943 (2024 est.) male: 3,978 female: 3,965; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Nationality: noun: Saint Helenian(s) adjective: Saint Helenian note: referred to locally as "Saints"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Ethnic groups: St. Helena 82.1%, UK 7.6%, South Africa 3.6%, Ascension 2.8%, other 3.9% (2021 est.) note: data represent population of Saint Helena by country of birth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Languages: English; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Religions: Anglican 63.2%, unspecified 11.4%, no religion 9%, Jehovah's Witness 3.8%, Baptist 2.3%, Salvation Army 2%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.9%, New Apostolic 1.6%, other Christian 1.4%, other 1.1% (2021 est.) note: data represent Saint Helena only; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.3% (male 579/female 556) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 2,626/female 2,655) 65 years and over: 19.2% (2024 est.) (male 773/female 754); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 50.4 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 21.5 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 28.9 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 3.5 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Median age: total: 45.5 years (2025 est.) male: 44.8 years female: 45.4 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population growth rate: 0.08% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Birth rate: 9.31 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Death rate: 8.55 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population distribution: Saint Helena: population is concentrated in and around the capital of Jamestown in the northwest, with another significant cluster in the interior Longwood area Ascension: most of the population lives in and around Georgetown Tristan da Cunha: most of the nearly 300 inhabitants live in the northern coastal town of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 40.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.98% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Major urban areas - population: 1,000 JAMESTOWN (capital) (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 17.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 21.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.2 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.9 years (2024 est.) male: 78.1 years female: 83.9 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Total fertility rate: 1.61 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 0.79 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Drinking water source: total: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.9% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Sanitation facility access: total: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Environment5 fields

Environmental issues: development threatens wildlife on Saint Helena; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 30.8% (2022 est.) arable land: 10.3% (2022 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.) permanent pasture: 20.5% (2022 est.) forest: 5.1% (2022 est.) other: 64.1% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 40.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.98% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 12,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 12,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Government22 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha conventional short form: none etymology: on the feast day of Saint Helena in 1502, Spanish navigator Joao da NOVA (sailing for Portugal) sighted and named the island that now bears the saint's name; da NOVA originally named Ascension "Conception Island" in honor of the Virgin Mary, but Portuguese navigator Afonso de ALBUQUERQUE later found the island on the feast day of the Ascension in 1508 and renamed it; Portuguese explorer Tristao da CUNHA sighted the third island in 1506 and named it after himself (the name was later anglicized); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Government type: parliamentary democracy; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Capital: name: Jamestown geographic coordinates: 15 56 S, 5 43 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: founded in 1659 and named after James, Duke of York, who would become King JAMES II of England; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Administrative divisions: 3 administrative areas; Ascension, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Legal system: English common law and local statutes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Constitution: history: several previous; latest effective 1 September 2009 (St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Citizenship: see United Kingdom; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022) head of government: Governor Nigel PHILLIPS (since 13 August 2022) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, 3 ex-officio officers, and 5 elected members of the Legislative Council election/appointment process: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Legislative branch: note: the Constitution Order provides for separate Island Councils for both Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 2 justices); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and judges) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor acting upon the instructions from a secretary of state acting on behalf of the British monarch; justices of both courts serve until retirement at age 70, but terms can be extended subordinate courts: Magistrates' Court; Small Claims Court; Juvenile Court note: appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Political parties: none; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
International organization participation: UPU; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National holiday: Official birthday of King Charles III, celebrated in April or June as designated by the governor (1948); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Flag: description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the right half of the flag; the upper third of the shield depicts a white plover on a yellow field; under the bird is a rocky coastline and a three-masted sailing ship with sails furled and flying an English flag history: the flag has been in use since 1984, when it was commissioned to mark the 150th anniversary of Saint Helena becoming a Crown Colony note: the French flag flies at Longwood House (Napoleon's former residence) and Napoleon's (now-empty) tomb on the island, because the French Government has owned the properties since 1858; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National symbol(s): Saint Helena plover (wire bird); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National coat of arms: the coat of arms of Saint Helena was officially granted on January 30, 1984; the national bird, the Saint Helena plover (Charadrius sanctaehelenae), is at the top of the shield; the lower part of the shield shows a three-masted sailing ship with the mountainous island to the left; below the shield is a scroll with the motto “Loyal and unshakable;” the crest shows an image of Saint Helena, holding a cross and a flower; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National anthem(s): title: “My St. Helena Island” lyrics/music: Dave MITCHELL history: in use since 1975 title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: official anthem, as a UK overseas territory; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Economy8 fields

Economic overview: upper middle-income, British Atlantic Ocean territorial economy; native (but pegged to British pound) currency user on 2 of 3 islands; significant UK financial support; unique land/farming commune structure; military-related economic activity; sport fishing locale; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Agricultural products: coffee, corn, potatoes, vegetables; fish, lobster; livestock; timber; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Industries: construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing, collectible postage stamps; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports - partners: Singapore 33%, USA 16%, Japan 10%, Turkey 10%, Senegal 8% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports - commodities: fish, shellfish, natural gas, trucks, construction vehicles (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports - partners: UK 34%, Greece 26%, Spain 16%, South Africa 15%, Namibia 2% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, baked goods, plastic products, vehicle parts/accessories, air pumps (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exchange rates: Saint Helena pounds (SHP) per US dollar - 0.805 (2023 est.) 0.811 (2022 est.) 0.727 (2021 est.) 0.78 (2020 est.) 0.783 (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Energy5 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2021); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 5,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 6.962 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.5 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Coal: imports: 70 metric tons (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 85 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 4,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 74 (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 4,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 74 (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Broadcast media: Saint Helena: no local TV station; 2 local radio stations, one of which is relayed to Ascension Island; satellite TV stations rebroadcast terrestrially Ascension Island: no local TV station; 1 local radio station and receives relays of broadcasts from radio station on Saint Helena; broadcasts from the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) available, as well as US military TV Tristan da Cunha: 1 local radio station and receives BFBS TV and radio broadcasts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Internet country code: .sh note: Ascension Island assigned .ac; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 37.6% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Transportation5 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: VQ-H; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Airports: 2 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Heliports: 2 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Ports: total ports: 4 (2024) large: 1 medium: 1 small: 1 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Georgetown, Jamestown, North Point; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Transportation - note: the new airport on Saint Helena opened for limited operations in 2016, and the first commercial flight took place in 2017; the military airport on Ascension Island is closed to civilian traffic; there is no air connection to Tristan da Cunha and very limited sea connections; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Military and Security1 fields

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

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