Saint Helena
Travel Guide > Africa > Saint Helena
In this Article
- Introduction
- Brief History
- Geography
- Regions
- Towns
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Weather
- Getting there
- Getting Around
- Red Tape
- Money
- Work
- Study
- Language
- Eat
- Sleep
- Drink
- Health
- Safety
- Keep Connected
Quick Facts
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- Capital
- Jamestown
- Population
- 7,460
- Government
- Overseas territory of the UK
- Religions
- Christianity
- Languages
- English
- Calling Code
- +290
- Nationality
- Local name
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Introduction
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Saint Helena: a place of exile. Not exactly a tourist brochure catchphrase, ey? Yet this is what Saint Helena is best known for, since it was the island to which Napoleon Bonaparte was banished for the final years of his life. And certainly, passionate fans of bad boy Bonaparte will rest assured knowing that Saint Helena is hardly a pit of desolation. With a gorgeous volcanic backdrop and a nice tropical climate, the emperor could have had little to complain about (besides that whole failure-to-take-over-Europe thing). Today, travellers are even attracted by the island's remoteness: situated more than 2000km from the nearest continent, Saint Helena offers just the kind of getaway busy folk need.
Brief History
Geography
Regions
The island of Saint Helena is organised into 8 districts; Alarm Forest, Blue Hill, Half Tree Hollow, Jamestown, Levelwood, Longwood, Sandy Bay and Saint Paul's.
Two dependencies fall under the authority of St Helena
Towns
Sights and Activities
Historic Buildings
Saint Helena has a colourful history and is home to a number of significant buildings:
- Plantation House (built 1792) is the grand former plantation owner's home, currently used as the Governer's official residence.
- Longwood House is the humble spot that Napoleon spent his last days of exile.
- Saint Paul's Cathedral (built 1851), the most significant religious building on the island.
- 'The Castle' (built 1708), the current seat of government.
Countryside Walks
The island has a range of interesting rambles including to Diana's Peak - the highest point on the island, as well as beautiful Sandy Bay.
Marine Life
The waters around Saint Helena are home to some pristine coral ecosystems with excellent visibility (to c. 20m). Fish include unique species of Pufferfish, Butterflyfish and Wrasse only found in the immediate vicinity of the island.
Events and Festivals
Weather
Getting there
By Plane
The only way to fly to Saint Helena is by an RAF charter flight to Ascension Island and then it's a two day trip by boat to reach the island of Saint Helena. Flights are operated by the Royal Air Force, who allow a limited number of civilian passengers on board. Departures are from the Brize Norton airbase in Oxfordshire.
More details on prices and schedules can be found through the Ascension Island travel agency website.
Construction of an international airport on the island of Saint Helena is under way, due to be completed in 2011.
By Boat
The Royal Mail Ship "Saint Helena" travels between Portland, Tenerife, Ascension Island, Saint Helena, Walvis bay and Capetown (and occasionally Tristan Da Cunha). A shuttle service runs between Saint Helena and Ascension Island. The boat carries up to 137 passengers.
By Train
By Car
By Bus
Red Tape
Money
Work
Study
Language
Eat
Sleep
Drink
Health
Safety
This is version 8. Last edited at 11:27 on Jul 25, 08 by magykal1 (+7). 8 articles link to this page.
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