Saint Helena
On the 21st of May 1502, a Galician navigator named João da Nova sighted an island in the South Atlantic Ocean while returning to Lisbon. This event marked the first recorded European contact with Saint Helena, though historical records remain contradictory about whether he actually found this specific landmass or another nearby island. The Portuguese Empire claimed the discovery, yet no permanent settlement was established for centuries. Ships traveling from Asia to Europe used the island as a vital stopover to replenish water and food supplies during their long voyages around Africa. By 1633, the Dutch Republic formally claimed the territory but never occupied it due to shifting trade routes and attacks on their shipping by British privateers. The island remained uninhabited until the English East India Company took control in 1659, transforming it into a fortified colonial outpost. A fort and houses were built within Jamestown, located in a narrow valley between steep cliffs. The population grew slowly, reaching only 66 people by 1670, including enslaved individuals brought from West Africa.
In October 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte arrived at Saint Helena following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. He initially stayed at the Briars pavilion before moving to Longwood House, which became his final residence. Five and half years later, on the 5th of May 1821, Napoleon died there at the age of 51. His remains were eventually returned to France in 1840 after being purchased by Emperor Napoleon III. During his exile, the island served as a remote prison where he was monitored closely by British authorities. The presence of thousands of soldiers and administrators linked to his imprisonment temporarily boosted the local economy. After his death, most temporary residents left, and the East India Company resumed full administrative control. The site of his death remains a significant historical landmark today, attracting visitors interested in this pivotal moment in European history. The French government continues to administer Longwood House under its own authority.
The first English settlers arrived in 1659, bringing with them enslaved Africans from regions such as the Cape Verde Islands and the Gold Coast. By 1723, the population had grown to 1,110 inhabitants, including 610 slaves who worked on plantations and in domestic service. In 1810, Chinese laborers began arriving to supplement the rural workforce, reaching a peak of 650 individuals by 1818. Many of these workers stayed permanently, integrating into the local community over generations. Between 1840 and 1849, over 15,000 freed slaves known as Liberated Africans were landed on the island after being rescued by the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron. About 500 of these individuals remained while others were sent to Sierra Leone or the West Indies. The importation of slaves was made illegal in 1792, but conditions on Saint Helena remained harsh until abolition in 1839. Today, descendants of these diverse groups form the unique cultural identity of modern Saint Helenians, blending British, African, Chinese, and Indian influences.
Saint Helena hosts approximately 400 endemic species recognized to date, concentrated primarily in its highland areas. The national bird is the Saint Helena plover, locally called the wirebird due to its distinctive thin legs. This species appears on both the coat of arms and flag of the territory. Deforestation introduced during colonization led to the extinction of several native plants, including the St Helena olive tree which died completely by December 2003. A reforestation project known as the Millennium Forest began in 2002 to restore parts of the lost Great Wood using indigenous gumwood trees. Recent scientific discoveries have identified new spider genera such as the mole spider and Mount Vesey wolf spider, expanding understanding of local biodiversity. Marine life includes abundant red crabs along the shoreline, though a capsizing incident in 1991 resulted in four crew deaths. BirdLife International has designated much of the island as an Important Bird Area for seabirds breeding on offshore stacks and islets.
Until 1966, the island relied almost entirely on New Zealand flax cultivation for rope production, creating a monocrop economy that collapsed when synthetic fibers replaced natural alternatives. Tourism emerged as a primary economic driver after the opening of Saint Helena Airport in October 2017, replacing five-day sea voyages with six-hour flights from South Africa. Construction required filling a valley with approximately 800 million pounds of dirt and rock to create flat land suitable for runways. Before the airport opened, only dedicated hikers and retirees visited regularly due to the lengthy journey aboard the RMS St Helena. The government aims to attract 30,000 visitors annually but achieved just 894 arrivals during the first year of operation. Average annual wages reached about £8,410 in 2018-19, significantly lower than global standards despite high living costs driven by imported goods. The island now generates revenue through coffee exports, honey production, fishing, and tourism-related activities while relying heavily on British aid for public sector funding.
Executive authority rests with King Charles III, represented locally by an appointed Governor who also serves as commander-in-chief. Legislative power lies within the unicameral Legislative Council comprising fifteen members including twelve elected representatives serving four-year terms. A referendum held in March 2013 rejected proposals for an elected Chief Minister, though another vote in 2021 approved constitutional changes introducing a ministerial system. Human rights initiatives gained momentum following reports of child abuse in 2014, leading to an inquiry conducted by Queen's Counsel Sasha Wass in March 2015. Legislation establishing an Equality and Human Rights Commission commenced operations in October 2015 after passing through the Legislative Council in July. Same-sex marriage became legal in December 2017 when the Marriage Ordinance was updated, allowing Lemarc Thomas and Michael Wernstedt to wed at Plantation House on the 31st of December 2018. In January 2024, Prince Edward visited the island, becoming the first royal guest since Princess Anne's trip in 2002.
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Common questions
When did João da Nova first sight Saint Helena?
João da Nova sighted the island on the 21st of May 1502 while returning to Lisbon. This event marked the first recorded European contact with Saint Helena, though historical records remain contradictory about whether he actually found this specific landmass or another nearby island.
Where and when did Napoleon Bonaparte die during his exile on Saint Helena?
Napoleon died at Longwood House on the 5th of May 1821 after spending five and half years in exile there. His remains were eventually returned to France in 1840 after being purchased by Emperor Napoleon III.
What is the national bird of Saint Helena and where does it appear?
The national bird of Saint Helena is the Saint Helena plover, locally called the wirebird due to its distinctive thin legs. This species appears on both the coat of arms and flag of the territory.
When was Saint Helena Airport opened and what impact did it have on tourism?
Saint Helena Airport opened in October 2017, replacing five-day sea voyages with six-hour flights from South Africa. The government aims to attract 30,000 visitors annually but achieved just 894 arrivals during the first year of operation.
Who represents King Charles III as the Governor of Saint Helena and when did same-sex marriage become legal?
An appointed Governor serves as commander-in-chief representing King Charles III in executive authority. Same-sex marriage became legal in December 2017 when the Marriage Ordinance was updated, allowing Lemarc Thomas and Michael Wernstedt to wed at Plantation House on the 31st of December 2018.