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Saint Helena |
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Saint Helena (həlē`nə), island, 47 sq mi (122 sq km), in the S Atlantic Ocean, 1,200 mi (1,931 km) W of Africa. Together with the islands of Ascension Ascension , island (1998 pop. 712), 34 sq mi (88 sq km), in the S Atlantic, NW of St. Helena and belonging to the British St. Helena colony. Georgetown is the main settlement.
..... Click the link for more information. and Tristan da Cunha Tristan da Cunha , group of volcanic islands in the S Atlantic, about midway between S Africa and S America. The only habitable island of the group is Tristan da Cunha (1999 pop. 286), formed by a volcano rising to c.6,760 ft (2,060 m). ..... Click the link for more information. , it comprises the British dependency of St. Helena (2005 est. pop. 7,500). The capital and port is Jamestown Jamestown, town, port, and capital (1998 pop. 864) of Saint Helena, in the S Atlantic. Once a busy coaling station on the East India route, it lost its importance after the opening of the Suez Canal, although it still supplies water to passing vessels. ..... Click the link for more information. . Mountainous and of volcanic origin, the island rises to a height of 2,685 ft (818 m) on Mt. Actaeon. Corn, potatoes, vegetables, and livestock are raised, and there is a fishing industry. HistoryDiscovered uninhabited by the Portuguese navigator João da Nova Castella in 1502, St. Helena was annexed by the Dutch in 1633. In 1659 it was annexed and occupied by the British East India Company, and in 1834 it became a British crown colony. The island served as a prison for South African Boers (Afrikaners) from 1900 to 1902. St. Helena is best known as the place of exile of Napoleon I, who was sent there in 1815 and who died at Longwood, near Jamestown, in 1821. His home has been maintained as a memorial. Saint HelenaIsland (pop., 2003 est.: 3,800), eastern South Atlantic Ocean. Located 1,200 mi (1,950 km) west of Africa, Saint Helena has an area of 47 sq mi (122 sq km). The capital and port is Jamestown. With Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, it constitutes a British overseas territory (area: 119 sq mi [308 sq km]; pop., 2003 est.: 5,104). Discovered in 1502, it became a port of call for ships sailing between Europe and the East Indies. It was owned by the English East India Co. in the 17th century; because of its remoteness, it was used as the final place of exile for Napoleon (1815–21). It declined in importance after the Suez Canal was opened in 1869. Saint Helena a volcanic island in the SE Atlantic, forming a UK Overseas Territory with its dependencies Tristan da Cunha and Ascension, and the uninhabited Gough, Inaccessible, and Nightingale Islands): discovered by the Portuguese in 1502 and annexed by England in 1651; scene of Napoleon's exile and death. Capital: Jamestown. Pop.: 5644 (2003 est.). Area: 122 sq. km (47 sq. miles) Saint Helena place of Napoleon’s second exile (1815). [Fr. Hist.: NCE, 2397] See : Banishment Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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