|
|
|
|
Ascension Island
Overview
A dependency of St Helena, the island was first occupied in 1815 and remained under British Admiralty control until 1922. Its airfield was built by US forces during WWII. The main importance of the island is as a communications centre and a military base, but attempts are being made to attract tourists to what was once a closed island. Despite its small size, there is plenty to do on the island - walking, scuba diving, and a wide variety of sports.
The island’s administrative costs are borne collectively by the user organisations. The Royal Air Force has a facility supporting its garrison in the Falklands and there is a small US Air Force base on the island. Public services are provided by Ascension Island Services. The island is famous for green turtles and is also a breeding ground for Wideawakes (Sooty Tern).
Time: GMT.
Administrator’s Office
Georgetown, Ascension Island, South Atlantic Ocean, ASCN 1ZZ
Tel: 7000.
Website: www.ascension-island.gov.ac
The Ascension Island Travel Agency (AITA)
AIG Shipping Office, Georgetown
Tel: 6244.
Website: www.ascension-flights.com
Location: South Atlantic.
Area: 88 sq km (34 sq miles).
Population: 1,100 (2007).
Population density: 12.5 per sq km.
Geography: Ascension Island lies 1,207km (750 miles) northwest of St Helena and is of purely volcanic origin.
Religion: Anglican and Roman Catholic.
Communications
Telephone: Country code: 247. Cable & Wireless (website: www.cw.com/ascension) operates telecommunications services and the European Space Agency has a monitoring station.
Post: There is a Royal Mail ship with a monthly shipping service to the UK available. Media
Press: The Islander is published weekly.
Radio: The BBC Atlantic Relay station broadcasts World Service radio programmes to Africa using shortwave transmitters. BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) and TV services for the US military are available. Volcano Radio carries locally produced programmes.
Money
The St Helena/Ascension Island Pound is equivalent to the UK Pound Sterling (see Money in the main United Kingdom section).
British Antarctic Territory
Overview
The British Antarctic Territory is the oldest territorial claim to a part of the continent. It includes all the lands and islands in a wedge extending from the South Pole to 60° S latitude between longitudes 20° W and 80° W. There is no indigenous population but the British Antarctic Survey has three research stations and the Royal Navy maintains an ice patrol vessel during the austral summer. The territory has its own legal and postal system.
The territory is financially self sufficient. Despite the UK claiming sovereignty over the region, there are also overlapping claims by Argentina and Chile. Under the terms of the Antarctic Treaty, all territorial claims remain frozen to ensure that the continent is used peacefully in the pursuit of scientific endeavour. The territory is replete with historical sites that featured in previous expeditions. There is also a great wealth of marine life, such as colonies of penguins and seals.
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
See Contact Addresses.
Location: Within the Antarctic Treaty area (between 20° W and 80° W of longitude). Area: Approximately 1,709,400 sq km (660,003 sq miles) of land.
Population: There are no permanent inhabitants, and the territory is used only for scientific purposes. The population is about 50 in the winter, rising to about 400 in summer. The region is administered by the Overseas Territories Department at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office; see also the Antarctica section.
Geography: The landscape is wide and varied, including mountains, islands and ice caps. The territory also includes the South Shetlands and the South Orkneys.
British Indian Ocean Territory
Overview
Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, is jointly used by the UK and USA for military purposes. Diego Garcia is a 44-sq-km (17-sq-mile) atoll of sand and coral in the middle of the Indian Ocean and has proven useful for Cold War activity and during both Gulf Wars. It also proved instrumental in the US war against Afghanistan, when bomb attacks were launched from the island to suspected Taliban strongholds.
In its history, it has also been a dependency of Mauritius, although it was first explored by the Portuguese. All other islands are uninhabited. Those previously resident in Diego Garcia were controversially moved to Mauritius and the Seychelles between 1967 and 1973. Although a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order that had excluded them from the archipelago in 2000, the special military status of Diego Garcia was retained. An 'Order of Council' was issued to prohibit the islanders from ever returning to Diego Garcia.
Time: GMT + 6.
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
See Contact Addresses.
Location: The Territory consists of the Chagos Archipelago, 1,930km (1,199 miles) northeast of Mauritius, which includes the coral atoll of Diego Garcia.
Area: 60 sq km (23 sq miles) of land and over 54,400 sq km (21,100 sq miles) of sea. Population: Approximately 4,000 people stationed in the territory, consisting of US and British military personnel and their supporting workforce (2004).
Money
UK Pound Sterling; the US Dollar is also accepted.
Pitcairn Islands
Overview
If you call at Pitcairn, you will see a unique community of Anglo-Tahitian descent which turned a naval mutiny into a celebrated romance. Pitcairn officially became a British settlement in 1887. Since 1989, Henderson has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a bird sanctuary. An exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was declared in 1992 including 370km (200 nautical miles) of the islands’ waters. The islanders live in and around Adamstown, the original home of the mutineers.
Pitcairn is actually a group of islands but it is Pitcairn Island, the largest island of these, which has a history that continues to fascinate. Originally the home of ex-sailors with Polynesian families, it has a community formed from the mutiny of the armed ship Bounty, which led to the founding of the Pitcairn community. Pitcairn's history is one afflicted by murder, necessary emigration and claims of underage rape by male islanders, including the mayor – but also happier times of peace and pride.
Most people who left Pitcairn originally, for areas such as Norfolk Island, soon returned to Pitcairn in a bout of homesickness. However, population decline is currently a problem. Following a peak of around 200 in the 1930s, population now hovers around the 40 mark, with many having emigrated to New Zealand. There are also concerns over Pitcairn's increasing isolation. Although plans were approved for further development on the islands, designed to attract and accommodate more travellers, there is still no airfield, and the number of ships stopping at Pitcairn is decreasing. Ironically, Pitcairn Island was more visited in the 19th century, in the era of whaling.
Time: GMT - 8.5.
Office of the Governor of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands in New Zealand
c/o British High Commission, 44 Hill Street, Thorndon, PO Box 1812, Wellington, New Zealand
Tel: (4) 924 2888.
Website: www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/newzealand
Pitcairn Islands Administration in New Zealand
PO Box 105 696, Auckland, New Zealand
Tel: (9) 366 0186.
Website: www.government.pn
Location: Central South Pacific.
Area: 35.5 sq km (13.7 sq miles).
Population: 47 (FCO estimate 2007).
Population density: 10.3 per sq km.
Geography: Equidistant from Panama and New Zealand. The group includes the uninhabited islands of Oeno, Henderson and Ducie.
Language: English and Pitcairn; the latter is a mixture of English and Tahitian, and became an official language in 1997.
Religion: Seventh Day Adventist.
Communications
Telephone: No direct dialling. Telephone calls must be booked via the international operator.
Media
Press: The Pitcairn Miscellany is a monthly four-page mimeographed news sheet.
Money
New Zealand money is used on the island. This is on a par with the Pitcairn Dollar. There are no banking facilities, but personal and traveller's cheques may be cashed at the Island Secretary’s office.
Health
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas.
South Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands
Overview
In 1775, Captain Cook claimed South Georgia for the British Crown and the island was annexed by Britain in 1908. In 1927, Argentina laid claim to South Georgia. Dependencies of the Falkland Islands up until 1985, the islands are now a distinct British Overseas Territory governed by the commissioner, who is also the governor of the Falkland Islands. There is a local administrator who is harbour master, fishery officer and customs and immigration officer (amongst other titles).
In 1993, the British government announced an extension of its territorial jurisdiction of the waters surrounding the islands from 12 to 200 nautical miles, in response to the Argentine government’s decision to sell fishing licences for the region’s waters. The British Antarctic Survey carries out scientific research on behalf of the government of the territory; the small British garrison, stationed there following a brief Argentine occupation in 1982, has now departed.
The economy is driven by fisheries and ecotourism. Attractions include a museum at Grytviken and Sir Ernest Shackleton’s grave. In addition, South Georgia has the greatest concentration of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic wildlife on earth, and this, set against the island’s extraordinary, glaciated mountain scenery, makes it a unique destination for ecotourism. Most tourists visiting the islands do so as part of a cruise.
For details of cruises to Antarctica, contact the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators based in the USA (website: www.iaato.org).
Time: GMT - 2.
The Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Government House, Stanley, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic, via United Kingdom
Tel: +500 27433.
Website: www.sgisland.org
Location: South Atlantic.
Area: South Georgia: 3,592 sq km (1,387 sq miles); South Sandwich Islands: 311 sq km (120 sq miles).
Population: There are no permanent inhabitants.
Geography: South Georgia lies about 1,390km (864 miles) southeast of the Falkland Islands, and the South Sandwich Islands lie about 640km (400 miles) southeast of South Georgia, of which 50% is comprised of permanent ice. The South Sandwich Islands consist of a chain of 11 volcanic islands some 350km (217 miles) long. Parts of the islands are protected areas or Sites of Special Scientific Interest, with wildlife including four species of seal; four species of penguin, giant and other petrels; and four species of albatross and Antarctic tern.
Communications
All telephone, fax and e-mail communications are through international satellite systems. Public telephone and fax facilities are not available.
Post: Mail can be posted using South Georgia stamps, but the postal service may take up to two months.
Money
The South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Pound is the official currency but the UK Pound Sterling and US Dollar are also in use on the island. MasterCard and Visa are accepted at the museum shop.
Health
The islands have no hospital facilities or rescue services. Sunburn may be a particular problem and visitors should take sufficient precautions. Former whaling stations (at Grytviken, Husvik, Leith Harbour, Prince Olav Harbour and Stromness) are still emitting wind-blown debris that contains asbestos dust.
Getting There
There are no road or air links; sole passage to the islands is by sea. However, the South Sandwich Islands' Antarctic climate means that in winter, the islands may be surrounded by pack ice, which combined with westerly storms and lack of sheltered anchorages, may make landing very difficult. All visitors must apply to the commissioner, in advance of travel, for permission to land, and landing on South Georgia will require a fee. On arrival, all visitors must report to the marine officer at King Edward Point, Cumberland, Bay East.
St Helena
Overview
St Helena was discovered on 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. Later, Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled here in 1815 until his death in 1821. In 1834, the island became a crown colony.
St Helena depends on aid from the UK, although fishing, livestock, handicrafts and timber are important to the economy. The island has two museums: Longwood House, Napoleon's home during the last years of his life; and the island's own museum, managed by the St Helena National Trust, situated in Jamestown, overlooking the harbour where the East India Company’s ships used to anchor. In addition, there are two national parks: one abounds with rare flora; the second is full of geological structures that expose St Helena’s volcanic origins.
Time: GMT.
Office of the Governor
The Castle, Jamestown, St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean
Tel: 2555.
Tourist Office
Main Street, Jamestown, St Helena Island, SAO, STHL 1ZZ, South Atlantic Ocean
Tel: 2158.
Website: www.sthelenatourism.com
Location: South Atlantic Ocean.
Area: 122 sq km (47 sq miles).
Population: 4,000 (official estimate 2007).
Population density: 33 per sq km.
Capital: Jamestown (population 800).
Geography: Located approximately 1,930km (1,200 miles) west of the Angolan coast. The island has a rare flora and fauna with some 40 species that are unique to St Helena.
Religion: Mostly Anglican.
Communications
Telephone: Country Code: 290. Credit card calls are available to Canada, the UK and the USA. MasterCard and Visa are accepted as payment of telephone calls. Cable & Wireless operates.
Media
Press: St Helena Herald is a government-funded weekly. The St Helena Independent is also published weekly.
Money
The St Helena Pound is equivalent to the UK Pound Sterling. Visa is accepted by some businesses and shops. Traveller's cheques can be cashed at the Finance Department Cash Office, The Castle, Jamestown.
Health
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas in Africa. There is no National Health Service but there is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK, which entitles all those with proof of UK residence (ie NHS medical card) to hospital treatment in out-patient clinics during normal clinic times at local rates.
Getting There
Currently only possible by the RMS St Helena, which visits the island several times a year (from Ascension Island, Cardiff and Cape Town). Enquiries about travel on the RMS should be made to Andrew Weir Shipping (tel: (020) 575 6480 in the UK; website: www.rms-st-helena.com). An airport is due to be opened on St Helena by 2010.
Getting Around
Roads on St Helena are nearly all single lanes. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road, with strict drink-driving regulations applied, plus a closely observed etiquette that all drivers coming down must make way for up-coming traffic.
Tristan da Cunha
Overview
Tristan da Cunha is composed of six islands: Gough, Inaccessible, Middle, Nightingale, Stoltenhoff and also Tristan da Cunha itself. Tristan da Cunha was discovered in 1506 by the Portuguese navigator, Tristao da Cunha, and garrisoned in 1816 to prevent its possible use as a rescue base for Napoleon Bonaparte.
The first island settlers were mostly whalers and sealers from the USA, seeking a temporary base. Islanders survived by bartering for fresh vegetables and water, relying on passing ships for provisions. Because of the trade winds by Tristan da Cunha, these ships were in fairly frequent supply and helped to supplement the island's subsistence economy.
The British connection was forged due to Tristan da Cunha's reputation for helping survivors of shipwrecks, and this also ensured the island a certain protection. By the mid 19th century, there were close to 100 inhabitants. However, the decline of whaling reduced numbers, forcing many inhabitants to emigrate elsewhere.
Later, in wartime, shipwrecked Italian sailors and Irish women boosted Tristan da Cunha's population, although a volcanic eruption in 1961 once again forced emigration, this time to the UK. Nevertheless, as soon as it was deemed safe to return to the island (two years later) the islanders did so. Tristan da Cunha’s economy is now based on fishing and fish processing (mainly rock lobster), handicrafts and stamps. The government and the lobster fishing industry are the only employers.
Time: GMT.
Administrator’s Office
Settlement of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic Ocean TDCU 1ZZ (via Cape Town RSA)
Tel: (020) 3014 2000.
Website: www.tristandc.com
Location: South Atlantic.
Area: 98 sq km (38 sq miles).
Population: 275 (official estimate 2007).
Population density: 2.96 per sq km.
Geography: Tristan da Cunha lies 2,778km (1,726 miles) west of Cape Town, South Africa. It is the most remote inhabited island in the world. The group also includes Inaccessible Island, the three Nightingale Islands and Gough Island.
Religion: Anglican with a small Roman Catholic minority.
Communications
Telephone: Calls have to be placed through the international operator, unless made via satellite links. There is a public satellite telephone.
Internet: There is an Internet cafe on the island.
Media
BFBS TV and radio are available.
Radio: Tristan Radio broadcasts local programmes on the island.
Money
British Pound Sterling is used for currency.
Getting There
There is no airport. All passengers must arrive by boat, if weather conditions permit.
British Crown Dependencies The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are not integral parts of the United Kingdom but are dependencies of the Crown and enjoy a high degree of internal self-government. Information on these islands has been placed under the United Kingdom section.
The following territories have their own sections in the World Travel Guide: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat and Turks & Caicos Islands.
Overview
A dependency of St Helena, the island was first occupied in 1815 and remained under British Admiralty control until 1922. Its airfield was built by US forces during WWII. The main importance of the island is as a communications centre and a military base, but attempts are being made to attract tourists to what was once a closed island. Despite its small size, there is plenty to do on the island - walking, scuba diving, and a wide variety of sports.
The island’s administrative costs are borne collectively by the user organisations. The Royal Air Force has a facility supporting its garrison in the Falklands and there is a small US Air Force base on the island. Public services are provided by Ascension Island Services. The island is famous for green turtles and is also a breeding ground for Wideawakes (Sooty Tern).
Time: GMT.
Administrator’s Office
Georgetown, Ascension Island, South Atlantic Ocean, ASCN 1ZZ
Tel: 7000.
Website: www.ascension-island.gov.ac
The Ascension Island Travel Agency (AITA)
AIG Shipping Office, Georgetown
Tel: 6244.
Website: www.ascension-flights.com
Location: South Atlantic.
Area: 88 sq km (34 sq miles).
Population: 1,100 (2007).
Population density: 12.5 per sq km.
Geography: Ascension Island lies 1,207km (750 miles) northwest of St Helena and is of purely volcanic origin.
Religion: Anglican and Roman Catholic.
Communications
Telephone: Country code: 247. Cable & Wireless (website: www.cw.com/ascension) operates telecommunications services and the European Space Agency has a monitoring station.
Post: There is a Royal Mail ship with a monthly shipping service to the UK available. Media
Press: The Islander is published weekly.
Radio: The BBC Atlantic Relay station broadcasts World Service radio programmes to Africa using shortwave transmitters. BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) and TV services for the US military are available. Volcano Radio carries locally produced programmes.
Money
The St Helena/Ascension Island Pound is equivalent to the UK Pound Sterling (see Money in the main United Kingdom section).
British Antarctic Territory
Overview
The British Antarctic Territory is the oldest territorial claim to a part of the continent. It includes all the lands and islands in a wedge extending from the South Pole to 60° S latitude between longitudes 20° W and 80° W. There is no indigenous population but the British Antarctic Survey has three research stations and the Royal Navy maintains an ice patrol vessel during the austral summer. The territory has its own legal and postal system.
The territory is financially self sufficient. Despite the UK claiming sovereignty over the region, there are also overlapping claims by Argentina and Chile. Under the terms of the Antarctic Treaty, all territorial claims remain frozen to ensure that the continent is used peacefully in the pursuit of scientific endeavour. The territory is replete with historical sites that featured in previous expeditions. There is also a great wealth of marine life, such as colonies of penguins and seals.
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
See Contact Addresses.
Location: Within the Antarctic Treaty area (between 20° W and 80° W of longitude). Area: Approximately 1,709,400 sq km (660,003 sq miles) of land.
Population: There are no permanent inhabitants, and the territory is used only for scientific purposes. The population is about 50 in the winter, rising to about 400 in summer. The region is administered by the Overseas Territories Department at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office; see also the Antarctica section.
Geography: The landscape is wide and varied, including mountains, islands and ice caps. The territory also includes the South Shetlands and the South Orkneys.
British Indian Ocean Territory
Overview
Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, is jointly used by the UK and USA for military purposes. Diego Garcia is a 44-sq-km (17-sq-mile) atoll of sand and coral in the middle of the Indian Ocean and has proven useful for Cold War activity and during both Gulf Wars. It also proved instrumental in the US war against Afghanistan, when bomb attacks were launched from the island to suspected Taliban strongholds.
In its history, it has also been a dependency of Mauritius, although it was first explored by the Portuguese. All other islands are uninhabited. Those previously resident in Diego Garcia were controversially moved to Mauritius and the Seychelles between 1967 and 1973. Although a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order that had excluded them from the archipelago in 2000, the special military status of Diego Garcia was retained. An 'Order of Council' was issued to prohibit the islanders from ever returning to Diego Garcia.
Time: GMT + 6.
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
See Contact Addresses.
Location: The Territory consists of the Chagos Archipelago, 1,930km (1,199 miles) northeast of Mauritius, which includes the coral atoll of Diego Garcia.
Area: 60 sq km (23 sq miles) of land and over 54,400 sq km (21,100 sq miles) of sea. Population: Approximately 4,000 people stationed in the territory, consisting of US and British military personnel and their supporting workforce (2004).
Money
UK Pound Sterling; the US Dollar is also accepted.
Pitcairn Islands
Overview
If you call at Pitcairn, you will see a unique community of Anglo-Tahitian descent which turned a naval mutiny into a celebrated romance. Pitcairn officially became a British settlement in 1887. Since 1989, Henderson has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a bird sanctuary. An exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was declared in 1992 including 370km (200 nautical miles) of the islands’ waters. The islanders live in and around Adamstown, the original home of the mutineers.
Pitcairn is actually a group of islands but it is Pitcairn Island, the largest island of these, which has a history that continues to fascinate. Originally the home of ex-sailors with Polynesian families, it has a community formed from the mutiny of the armed ship Bounty, which led to the founding of the Pitcairn community. Pitcairn's history is one afflicted by murder, necessary emigration and claims of underage rape by male islanders, including the mayor – but also happier times of peace and pride.
Most people who left Pitcairn originally, for areas such as Norfolk Island, soon returned to Pitcairn in a bout of homesickness. However, population decline is currently a problem. Following a peak of around 200 in the 1930s, population now hovers around the 40 mark, with many having emigrated to New Zealand. There are also concerns over Pitcairn's increasing isolation. Although plans were approved for further development on the islands, designed to attract and accommodate more travellers, there is still no airfield, and the number of ships stopping at Pitcairn is decreasing. Ironically, Pitcairn Island was more visited in the 19th century, in the era of whaling.
Time: GMT - 8.5.
Office of the Governor of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands in New Zealand
c/o British High Commission, 44 Hill Street, Thorndon, PO Box 1812, Wellington, New Zealand
Tel: (4) 924 2888.
Website: www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/newzealand
Pitcairn Islands Administration in New Zealand
PO Box 105 696, Auckland, New Zealand
Tel: (9) 366 0186.
Website: www.government.pn
Location: Central South Pacific.
Area: 35.5 sq km (13.7 sq miles).
Population: 47 (FCO estimate 2007).
Population density: 10.3 per sq km.
Geography: Equidistant from Panama and New Zealand. The group includes the uninhabited islands of Oeno, Henderson and Ducie.
Language: English and Pitcairn; the latter is a mixture of English and Tahitian, and became an official language in 1997.
Religion: Seventh Day Adventist.
Communications
Telephone: No direct dialling. Telephone calls must be booked via the international operator.
Media
Press: The Pitcairn Miscellany is a monthly four-page mimeographed news sheet.
Money
New Zealand money is used on the island. This is on a par with the Pitcairn Dollar. There are no banking facilities, but personal and traveller's cheques may be cashed at the Island Secretary’s office.
Health
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas.
South Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands
Overview
In 1775, Captain Cook claimed South Georgia for the British Crown and the island was annexed by Britain in 1908. In 1927, Argentina laid claim to South Georgia. Dependencies of the Falkland Islands up until 1985, the islands are now a distinct British Overseas Territory governed by the commissioner, who is also the governor of the Falkland Islands. There is a local administrator who is harbour master, fishery officer and customs and immigration officer (amongst other titles).
In 1993, the British government announced an extension of its territorial jurisdiction of the waters surrounding the islands from 12 to 200 nautical miles, in response to the Argentine government’s decision to sell fishing licences for the region’s waters. The British Antarctic Survey carries out scientific research on behalf of the government of the territory; the small British garrison, stationed there following a brief Argentine occupation in 1982, has now departed.
The economy is driven by fisheries and ecotourism. Attractions include a museum at Grytviken and Sir Ernest Shackleton’s grave. In addition, South Georgia has the greatest concentration of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic wildlife on earth, and this, set against the island’s extraordinary, glaciated mountain scenery, makes it a unique destination for ecotourism. Most tourists visiting the islands do so as part of a cruise.
For details of cruises to Antarctica, contact the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators based in the USA (website: www.iaato.org).
Time: GMT - 2.
The Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Government House, Stanley, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic, via United Kingdom
Tel: +500 27433.
Website: www.sgisland.org
Location: South Atlantic.
Area: South Georgia: 3,592 sq km (1,387 sq miles); South Sandwich Islands: 311 sq km (120 sq miles).
Population: There are no permanent inhabitants.
Geography: South Georgia lies about 1,390km (864 miles) southeast of the Falkland Islands, and the South Sandwich Islands lie about 640km (400 miles) southeast of South Georgia, of which 50% is comprised of permanent ice. The South Sandwich Islands consist of a chain of 11 volcanic islands some 350km (217 miles) long. Parts of the islands are protected areas or Sites of Special Scientific Interest, with wildlife including four species of seal; four species of penguin, giant and other petrels; and four species of albatross and Antarctic tern.
Communications
All telephone, fax and e-mail communications are through international satellite systems. Public telephone and fax facilities are not available.
Post: Mail can be posted using South Georgia stamps, but the postal service may take up to two months.
Money
The South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Pound is the official currency but the UK Pound Sterling and US Dollar are also in use on the island. MasterCard and Visa are accepted at the museum shop.
Health
The islands have no hospital facilities or rescue services. Sunburn may be a particular problem and visitors should take sufficient precautions. Former whaling stations (at Grytviken, Husvik, Leith Harbour, Prince Olav Harbour and Stromness) are still emitting wind-blown debris that contains asbestos dust.
Getting There
There are no road or air links; sole passage to the islands is by sea. However, the South Sandwich Islands' Antarctic climate means that in winter, the islands may be surrounded by pack ice, which combined with westerly storms and lack of sheltered anchorages, may make landing very difficult. All visitors must apply to the commissioner, in advance of travel, for permission to land, and landing on South Georgia will require a fee. On arrival, all visitors must report to the marine officer at King Edward Point, Cumberland, Bay East.
St Helena
Overview
St Helena was discovered on 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. Later, Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled here in 1815 until his death in 1821. In 1834, the island became a crown colony.
St Helena depends on aid from the UK, although fishing, livestock, handicrafts and timber are important to the economy. The island has two museums: Longwood House, Napoleon's home during the last years of his life; and the island's own museum, managed by the St Helena National Trust, situated in Jamestown, overlooking the harbour where the East India Company’s ships used to anchor. In addition, there are two national parks: one abounds with rare flora; the second is full of geological structures that expose St Helena’s volcanic origins.
Time: GMT.
Office of the Governor
The Castle, Jamestown, St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean
Tel: 2555.
Tourist Office
Main Street, Jamestown, St Helena Island, SAO, STHL 1ZZ, South Atlantic Ocean
Tel: 2158.
Website: www.sthelenatourism.com
Location: South Atlantic Ocean.
Area: 122 sq km (47 sq miles).
Population: 4,000 (official estimate 2007).
Population density: 33 per sq km.
Capital: Jamestown (population 800).
Geography: Located approximately 1,930km (1,200 miles) west of the Angolan coast. The island has a rare flora and fauna with some 40 species that are unique to St Helena.
Religion: Mostly Anglican.
Communications
Telephone: Country Code: 290. Credit card calls are available to Canada, the UK and the USA. MasterCard and Visa are accepted as payment of telephone calls. Cable & Wireless operates.
Media
Press: St Helena Herald is a government-funded weekly. The St Helena Independent is also published weekly.
Money
The St Helena Pound is equivalent to the UK Pound Sterling. Visa is accepted by some businesses and shops. Traveller's cheques can be cashed at the Finance Department Cash Office, The Castle, Jamestown.
Health
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas in Africa. There is no National Health Service but there is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK, which entitles all those with proof of UK residence (ie NHS medical card) to hospital treatment in out-patient clinics during normal clinic times at local rates.
Getting There
Currently only possible by the RMS St Helena, which visits the island several times a year (from Ascension Island, Cardiff and Cape Town). Enquiries about travel on the RMS should be made to Andrew Weir Shipping (tel: (020) 575 6480 in the UK; website: www.rms-st-helena.com). An airport is due to be opened on St Helena by 2010.
Getting Around
Roads on St Helena are nearly all single lanes. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road, with strict drink-driving regulations applied, plus a closely observed etiquette that all drivers coming down must make way for up-coming traffic.
Tristan da Cunha
Overview
Tristan da Cunha is composed of six islands: Gough, Inaccessible, Middle, Nightingale, Stoltenhoff and also Tristan da Cunha itself. Tristan da Cunha was discovered in 1506 by the Portuguese navigator, Tristao da Cunha, and garrisoned in 1816 to prevent its possible use as a rescue base for Napoleon Bonaparte.
The first island settlers were mostly whalers and sealers from the USA, seeking a temporary base. Islanders survived by bartering for fresh vegetables and water, relying on passing ships for provisions. Because of the trade winds by Tristan da Cunha, these ships were in fairly frequent supply and helped to supplement the island's subsistence economy.
The British connection was forged due to Tristan da Cunha's reputation for helping survivors of shipwrecks, and this also ensured the island a certain protection. By the mid 19th century, there were close to 100 inhabitants. However, the decline of whaling reduced numbers, forcing many inhabitants to emigrate elsewhere.
Later, in wartime, shipwrecked Italian sailors and Irish women boosted Tristan da Cunha's population, although a volcanic eruption in 1961 once again forced emigration, this time to the UK. Nevertheless, as soon as it was deemed safe to return to the island (two years later) the islanders did so. Tristan da Cunha’s economy is now based on fishing and fish processing (mainly rock lobster), handicrafts and stamps. The government and the lobster fishing industry are the only employers.
Time: GMT.
Administrator’s Office
Settlement of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic Ocean TDCU 1ZZ (via Cape Town RSA)
Tel: (020) 3014 2000.
Website: www.tristandc.com
Location: South Atlantic.
Area: 98 sq km (38 sq miles).
Population: 275 (official estimate 2007).
Population density: 2.96 per sq km.
Geography: Tristan da Cunha lies 2,778km (1,726 miles) west of Cape Town, South Africa. It is the most remote inhabited island in the world. The group also includes Inaccessible Island, the three Nightingale Islands and Gough Island.
Religion: Anglican with a small Roman Catholic minority.
Communications
Telephone: Calls have to be placed through the international operator, unless made via satellite links. There is a public satellite telephone.
Internet: There is an Internet cafe on the island.
Media
BFBS TV and radio are available.
Radio: Tristan Radio broadcasts local programmes on the island.
Money
British Pound Sterling is used for currency.
Getting There
There is no airport. All passengers must arrive by boat, if weather conditions permit.
British Crown Dependencies The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are not integral parts of the United Kingdom but are dependencies of the Crown and enjoy a high degree of internal self-government. Information on these islands has been placed under the United Kingdom section.
The following territories have their own sections in the World Travel Guide: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat and Turks & Caicos Islands.