Saint Helena | |
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Overseas territory of the UK | |
![]() Jamestown, capital of Saint Helena | |
Motto(s): "Loyal and Unshakeable" | |
Anthem: My Saint Helena Island (unofficial) | |
![]() Location of Saint Helena in the Atlantic Ocean. | |
Coordinates: 15°57′S 5°43′W / 15.950°S 5.717°W | |
Country | ![]() |
Overseas territory | Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha |
Island | Saint Helena |
Capital | Jamestown |
Discovered | 1502 |
Current constitution | 2009 |
Named for | Helena of Constantinople |
Government | |
• Type | Monarchy |
• Monarch | Charles III |
• Governor | Mark Andrew Capes |
Area | |
• Total | 122 km2 (47 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 818 m (2,684 ft) |
Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
Population (2008)[2] | |
• Total | 4,255 |
• Density | 35/km2 (90/sq mi) |
Demonym | Saint Helenian |
Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) |
Area code | +290 |
Internet TLD | .sh |
Currency | Saint Helena pound (SHP) |
Website | www.sainthelena.gov.sh |
Saint Helena is an island of volcanic origin in the South Atlantic Ocean at 15°57′S 5°43′W / 15.950°S 5.717°W. It is named after Saint Helena of Constantinople. It is part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha,[3] which also includes Ascension Island and the islands of Tristan da Cunha. Saint Helena measures about 16 by 8 kilometres (10 by 5 mi) and has a population of 4,084 (2008 census).[2]
Napoleon was sent to this island by the British and their allies as a result of Napoleon's return from the Elba island and loss at the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon died there in 1821.
The island is on a tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.[4]