South America and South Atlantic Islands

St Helena (British Overseas Territory)
Last reviewed: 16 July 2009

Country information

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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).