1. The island is named after the discoverer of the True Cross

The island of St Helena in the South Atlantic was discovered by the Portuguese navigator João de Nova on May 21, 1502. He named it after St Helena of Constantinople, the consort of Roman emperor Constantius Chlorus and mother of Constantine the Great. Also alleged discoverer of the True Cross. 

2. In 1658 the first permanent settlement was built

The British were the first to build a truly permanent settlement on Saint Helena, Jamestown in 1658. Jamestown is home to one newspaper agency, one radio station and one internet service provider. 

3. Britain’s second oldest remaining Overseas Territory

St Helena has been a British Overseas Territory for longer than anywhere else except Bermuda. 

4. It was home to world’s most famous prisoner

After his defeat in 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte was sentenced to exile on Saint Helena. Napoleon lived here until he died in 1821. Saint Helena became quite overcrowded in this period, and supplies had to be imported from the outside world, as the island could not sustain itself.

Besides Napolean the island kept some 5.000 Boer War captives. 

When Napoleon died in 1821, many of the temporary inhabitants of Saint Helena left, and the island once again returned to its status quo under the British East India Company.

5. Darwin stayed for 5 days on St. Helena

Charles Darwin visited St Helena in 1836 when sailing on The Beagle and described it as “a curious little world within itself”.

6. Home to the most useless airport

Saint Helena was once home to the world’s most useless airport. It was built but not used until 2018 (we were one of the first taking off from here). Only small airplanes can land here due to the wind. We came to Saint Helena by boat and left by plane.

7. Also the home of the oldest land animal on earth

Saint Helena is where Jonathan (186 year old turtoise) lives. We were lucky enough to meet this amazing animal.