JAMESTOWN, ST. HELENA
There are three Atlantic Islands: St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. They are all dependencies of the United Kingdom. St. Helena is one of the last relics of the colonies in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is 1200 miles from Africa and 1800 miles from Brazil.The capital is Jamestown. It is volcanic in origin, but there are vast, lush green areas as well as mountains and hills The scenery is stunning.. The entire island is 47 square miles and the population is approx. 6000 people, mostly in Jamestown. There is no airport; a ship comes by every 2 weeks with mail and supplies.The chief products are potatoes and flax. The island has a governor and is a British Overseas Territory. It is Britain’s second oldest colony, the firstt being Bermuda. The main source of income are the beautiful postage stamps which are collectors’ items.
The Portuguese first landed on St. Helena in 1502 and it became an important stopping place for shipping vessels on their way to the East Indies. The English landed there in 1588 and for many years after, possession of the island was contested.
In 1815 Napoleon Bonaparte, a great military genius, was sent into exile here following his defeat by the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo. He lived in a stately private home called Longwood House.He had 35 servants and 3 chefs and was permitted to roam the island freely. He even chose the location for his tomb. Six years later, in 1821 Napoleon died, presumably from stomach cancer. In 1840 King Louis Philippe of France ordered his body to be brought back to Paris where he is now buried under Les Invalides.
There are three Atlantic Islands: St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. They are all dependencies of the United Kingdom. St. Helena is one of the last relics of the colonies in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is 1200 miles from Africa and 1800 miles from Brazil.The capital is Jamestown. It is volcanic in origin, but there are vast, lush green areas as well as mountains and hills The scenery is stunning.. The entire island is 47 square miles and the population is approx. 6000 people, mostly in Jamestown. There is no airport; a ship comes by every 2 weeks with mail and supplies.The chief products are potatoes and flax. The island has a governor and is a British Overseas Territory. It is Britain’s second oldest colony, the firstt being Bermuda. The main source of income are the beautiful postage stamps which are collectors’ items.
The Portuguese first landed on St. Helena in 1502 and it became an important stopping place for shipping vessels on their way to the East Indies. The English landed there in 1588 and for many years after, possession of the island was contested.
In 1815 Napoleon Bonaparte, a great military genius, was sent into exile here following his defeat by the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo. He lived in a stately private home called Longwood House.He had 35 servants and 3 chefs and was permitted to roam the island freely. He even chose the location for his tomb. Six years later, in 1821 Napoleon died, presumably from stomach cancer. In 1840 King Louis Philippe of France ordered his body to be brought back to Paris where he is now buried under Les Invalides.
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