8 Facts About St Helena, A Remote Island In British Overseas Territories Now Open To Public

1. Remote Location

[{"selector":"#anim-179c5233-199e-4c76-b810-68fe37d7b5ef","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-96e7a27d-c87b-4009-9177-aac7c6f2e8da","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] St Helena is a remote island located in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 1,950 kilometres west of the coast of Africa. It is one of the most isolated islands in the world. Credits: Canva

2. British Overseas Territory

[{"selector":"#anim-3348734d-50aa-4973-9674-8326102b9107","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac68c017-4b39-4bd1-8e26-dc2aad0e0d3b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 266.97521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] As a British Overseas Territory, St Helena is under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom, with its local government. Credits: Canva

3. Napoleon's Exile

[{"selector":"#anim-08a3fcf3-943e-4ca0-9d3f-49cd3cc1f180","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6ebdede3-df36-46a9-8243-c61834c314b6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] St Helena is famously known as the place of Napoleon Bonaparte's exile and eventual death in 1821. Longwood House, where Napoleon lived during his exile, is now a museum open to visitors. Credits: Canva

4. Unique Wildlife

[{"selector":"#anim-e26ad2d0-c25e-4011-84b1-f11c96199ab0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fb06ea88-e5b2-4d4b-be16-e9bfb98a9bfe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 165.41069%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The island is home to a variety of unique flora and fauna, including several endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. This includes the St Helena Plover (wirebird) and the St Helena Giant Earwig. Credits: Canva

5. Historic Sites

[{"selector":"#anim-bccc497e-1524-4fdc-b6e9-13d523b9664c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e7a15c4-80c5-4c73-a2d1-849173370d15","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] St Helena boasts a rich history, with numerous historic sites dating back to its colonization in the 16th century. This includes the remnants of forts, churches, and plantations. Credits: Canva

6. The RMS St Helena

[{"selector":"#anim-a43dcabd-dd9a-4679-b206-16f929afa83d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4b45511-2c54-4a98-b126-d89c3d636cbb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Until 2018, St Helena was primarily accessible by sea via the RMS St Helena, a cargo and passenger ship that served the island for over 25 years. Credits: Canva

7. New Airport

[{"selector":"#anim-ffef658b-ccaa-4fab-b3e4-a103be8032d6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-50dc830c-c5ca-4e48-adc1-caf7dc38f16a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 140.30822%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] St Helena Airport opened in 2016, ending the island's reliance on the RMS St Helena and allowing for easier access to the island. The airport has a unique runway design due to its challenging wind conditions. Credits: Canva

8. Tourism Development

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[{"selector":"#anim-0e9d8bb9-4ae8-41a2-b644-8b54ff0f2784","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d945a90f-a035-4dc9-9e58-958fc7ab1346","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 539.65123%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] St Helena beckons adventurers to uncover the secrets of this remote island paradise. Credits: Canva