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South America and South Atlantic Islands

St Helena (British Overseas Territory)

 Flag of St Helena

Last reviewed: 16 July 2009

Country information

Map of St Helena

ST HELENA TODAY

Country Facts

Status: British Overseas Territory
Area: 122 sq km
Population: 4,000
Capital city: Jamestown
Languages: English
Religion: Mainly Christian, some Bahai.
Currency: St Helena Pound on par with UK Pound
Governor: Andrew Gurr

Travel

There is no airport on St Helena. At present, regular access to St Helena is provided by the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) St Helena, a cargo and passenger vessel, operated by Andrew Weir Shipping, that offers a scheduled service between St Helena, Ascension, Walvis Bay and Cape Town.

Enquiries about travel on the RMS should be made to Andrew Weir Shipping:

Tel 0207 816 4803
Fax 0207 816 4802
e-mail: reservations@aws.co.uk
Andrew Weir Shipping: RMS

Travel Advice: St Helena

 

ECONOMY

Basic Economic Facts

GDP (at current prices): US$ 10.1 million (2000/2001)
GDP per capita: US$ 2,291 (2000/2001)
Unemployment: 12.7% (2001/2002)

The territory has few natural resources. Agriculture, the sale of fishing licenses and tourism are the main economic activities. A fish freezing facility has been set up on St Helena. About 1,700 St Helenians work offshore, mainly in Ascension, the Falklands and the UK.

HISTORY

St Helena was discovered on St Helena day (21 May) 1502 by the Portuguese navigator Joan da Nova. In 1658 Richard, Lord Protector, authorised the British East India Company to colonise and fortify the island. Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to St Helena in 1815 and remained there until his death in 1821. St Helena became a Crown Colony in 1834. The Zulu Chief, Dinizulu, was exiled to the island in 1890 and up to 6000 Boer prisoners were held there between 1900 and 1903.

Visitors have included Edmund Halley (1677), William Dampier (1691) Captain Cook (1775) and Charles Darwin (1836).

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Relations with the International Community

HMG is responsible for St Helena’s external relations and defence.

Relations with the UK

The principal points of contact are Overseas Territories Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Governor’s Office, Jamestown, St Helena.

UK Representative for St Helena

Mrs Kedell M Worboys
Suite G4
7 Portland Place
London
W1P 1PP

Tel: 020 7031 0314

Fax: 020 7031 0315

e-mail: shgukrep1@btconnect.com

GEOGRAPHY

This remote island in the South Atlantic is about 1,200 miles from the South West coast of Africa. It is of volcanic origin and was uninhabited when it was discovered by the Portuguese in the early 16th century. The island has distinctive flora and fauna with many rare or endangered species.

POLITICS

Constitutional Status

The St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009 was made on 8 July by Her Majesty and the Privy Council.  It is expected to come into operation in the autumn.   The Governor exercises executive authority. The Governor is advised by an Executive Council and an elected Legislative Council. The Executive Council consists of the Governor, 3 ex officio officers, and 5 elected members of the Legislative Council. There is a Unicameral Legislative assembly (15 seats, including the speaker, 3 ex officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by popular vote to serve 4-year terms).

Government

Governors Office

Governor: His Excellency Andrew Gurr
Governor's Office
The Castle, Jamestown
St Helena Island
South Atlantic Ocean
Tel: 00 290 2555
Fax:00 290 2598

Executive Council

The current membership of the Executive Council is as follows:

Honourable Acting Chief Secretary: Mrs Ethel Yon
Honourable Financial Secretary: Ms Linda Clemett
Honourable Attorney General: Mr Kenneth Baddon
Honourable William E Drabble MLC
Honourable Eric W Benjamin MLC
Honourable Brian W Isaac MLC
Honourable Bernice A Olsson MLC
Honourable Stedson G Francis MLC

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Contacts

Tristan da Cunha, The Settlement, Administrator's Office

Address:

The Administrator's Office
The Settlement
TRISTAN DA CUNHA
South Atlantic Ocean
TDCU 1ZZ
(via Cape Town, RSA)

Telephone:

00 870 764 341 816
00 871 682 087 155
00 44 (0)20 3014 2000

Fax:

00 870 764 341 818
00 871 682 087 158
00 44 (0)20 3014 2020

Email: enquiriestdc@gmail.com

Office hours:

(GMT and Local): 0830 - 1230 and 1300 - 1630 (Mon-Fri)
(NB: working hours October – March begin and end 30 minutes earlier)

St Helena, Jamestown, Governor's Office