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Saint Helena Tourism
Saint Helena Heritage
When the island was discovered by the Portuguese in 1502 it was uninhabited. The first person to live there was Dom Fernando Lopez, a Portuguese renegade, who on a homeward bound journey jumped ship and escaped into the woods. Lopez lived on the island for almost 30 years. The island then became uninhabited once again.
In 1645 the Dutch took possession of the island but did not settle it. They held it for about six years then abandoned it in preference for the Cape of Good Hope. In 1657 the English East India Company took possession of the island and established the first settlement. Included among the first settlers were victims of the Great Fire of London. Later came others from the European countries as well as some Chinese indentured labourers, slaves from Madagascar and eventually Boer prisoners from Africa.
It is perhaps this mixing of nations that has left St Helena with a unique heritage of people of varying skin tones but who live together in total harmony as a peaceful, law abiding, and friendly community. Visitors to St Helena often remark on the friendliness and the peace loving style of life found here. The way of life is entirely British and typically English. The only language of the islanders is English.
The Royal Charter of 1673 bestowed on the inhabitants of St Helena the right of entry and abode in Britain. It made the inhabitants "and every of theire children and posteritie...ffree Denizens and naturall Subjects... to all intents and purposes as if they had been abiding and borne within this our Kingdome of England.." The British Nationality Act of 1981 had the effect of eroding those rights, much to the displeasure of the inhabitants. However, on 21 May 2002, their British Citizenship rights were restored.
The Environment
The island is of volcanic origin. Early records relating to its discovery show that the island was once covered in rich vegetation. It has been suggested that seeds of plants must have been carried by birds or blown by the wind that caused such vegetation to be found by early discoverers. It is thought that the introduction of goats by the Portuguese did much to destroy many of the forests, and that this accounts for the barrenness of much of the land on the coastal areas today.
Fortunately the island is left with lush vegetation in its interior. Among plant life on the island is a variety of endemics. Some however have become almost extinct and others are threatened but a dedicated programme is currently ongoing to enhance the growth of some of these threatened or near extinct species.
The Millennium Forest is an example of this where more than a thousand endemic seedlings were planted by the inhabitants and Government in joint venture to re-establish what was once a thriving forest of gumwoods. A list of the Island’s endemics is on the next page.
The island is hilly in most parts with only a small portion of level ground. The highest peak rises to some 2300 feet above sea level. At these altitudes some of the island’s thriving endemic plants such as ferns and cabbage trees can be found.
There is only one endemic specie of bird - the Wirebird which resembles birds of the plover family. Other birds abound that have at one time or another been introduced to the island; they include, canaries, Java sparrows, mynahs, pigeons, doves, cardinals, tropic birds, fairy terns. Partridges and pheasants are also found.
Many species of fish, some of which are endemic, abound in the waters around St Helena. The endemic species include Bastard Cavalley Pilot (Stegastes sauctaehelenae), Silver eel (Arisoma mellissii), Springer’s Blenny (Scartella springeri), Skulpin (Physiculus helenaesus), Bastard Fivefinger (Chromis sanctahelinae) St Helena Dragonet (Calliorymus sauctahelinae), Hen Deepwater Greenfish (Holautthias frontiunctus), Deep-water Gurnard (Scoprpaena mellissii), Deep-water Jack (Pontinus nigropunctatios), Greenfish (Thallassoma sanctaehelenae).
The Fortifications
Our fortifications are landmarks of the British East India Company occupation and the presence of British garrisons during the world wars. The most prominent forts are at Banks Battery, Ladder Hill and High Knoll. Fortifications were built in a number of strategic positions on the island but sadly many have have fallen into disrepair. The present castle, which now houses the Government's administrative offices and the Council Chamber, sits on the site of one of the first forts to be built on the island.
The Entrance to High Knoll Fort A number of canon used on the island in that earlier period can still be seen on the island; some are mounted on their original carriages while others have been displaced. Two guns, mounted in their original position at Ladder Hill Fort are reminders of the first and second world wars. They occupy a strategic position overlooking the ocean gateway to Jamestown.
A number of places still bear names of prominent positions that constantly remind the inhabitants of their history. Such places are Alarm Forest, Alarm Hill, Two Gun Saddle, Samson’s Battery, Bank’s Battery, Munden’s Battery, Ladder Hill Fort and High Knoll Fort. Of these High Knoll Fort and Bank’s Battery attract most attention today. High Knoll with its attractive thick stone walls, two wells and magazines stands on high ground whilst Bank’s Battery stands on a prominent coastal position with a good view of the harbour.
In 1645 the Dutch took possession of the island but did not settle it. They held it for about six years then abandoned it in preference for the Cape of Good Hope. In 1657 the English East India Company took possession of the island and established the first settlement. Included among the first settlers were victims of the Great Fire of London. Later came others from the European countries as well as some Chinese indentured labourers, slaves from Madagascar and eventually Boer prisoners from Africa.
It is perhaps this mixing of nations that has left St Helena with a unique heritage of people of varying skin tones but who live together in total harmony as a peaceful, law abiding, and friendly community. Visitors to St Helena often remark on the friendliness and the peace loving style of life found here. The way of life is entirely British and typically English. The only language of the islanders is English.
The Royal Charter of 1673 bestowed on the inhabitants of St Helena the right of entry and abode in Britain. It made the inhabitants "and every of theire children and posteritie...ffree Denizens and naturall Subjects... to all intents and purposes as if they had been abiding and borne within this our Kingdome of England.." The British Nationality Act of 1981 had the effect of eroding those rights, much to the displeasure of the inhabitants. However, on 21 May 2002, their British Citizenship rights were restored.
The Environment
The island is of volcanic origin. Early records relating to its discovery show that the island was once covered in rich vegetation. It has been suggested that seeds of plants must have been carried by birds or blown by the wind that caused such vegetation to be found by early discoverers. It is thought that the introduction of goats by the Portuguese did much to destroy many of the forests, and that this accounts for the barrenness of much of the land on the coastal areas today.
Fortunately the island is left with lush vegetation in its interior. Among plant life on the island is a variety of endemics. Some however have become almost extinct and others are threatened but a dedicated programme is currently ongoing to enhance the growth of some of these threatened or near extinct species.
The Millennium Forest is an example of this where more than a thousand endemic seedlings were planted by the inhabitants and Government in joint venture to re-establish what was once a thriving forest of gumwoods. A list of the Island’s endemics is on the next page.
The island is hilly in most parts with only a small portion of level ground. The highest peak rises to some 2300 feet above sea level. At these altitudes some of the island’s thriving endemic plants such as ferns and cabbage trees can be found.
There is only one endemic specie of bird - the Wirebird which resembles birds of the plover family. Other birds abound that have at one time or another been introduced to the island; they include, canaries, Java sparrows, mynahs, pigeons, doves, cardinals, tropic birds, fairy terns. Partridges and pheasants are also found.
Many species of fish, some of which are endemic, abound in the waters around St Helena. The endemic species include Bastard Cavalley Pilot (Stegastes sauctaehelenae), Silver eel (Arisoma mellissii), Springer’s Blenny (Scartella springeri), Skulpin (Physiculus helenaesus), Bastard Fivefinger (Chromis sanctahelinae) St Helena Dragonet (Calliorymus sauctahelinae), Hen Deepwater Greenfish (Holautthias frontiunctus), Deep-water Gurnard (Scoprpaena mellissii), Deep-water Jack (Pontinus nigropunctatios), Greenfish (Thallassoma sanctaehelenae).
The Fortifications
Our fortifications are landmarks of the British East India Company occupation and the presence of British garrisons during the world wars. The most prominent forts are at Banks Battery, Ladder Hill and High Knoll. Fortifications were built in a number of strategic positions on the island but sadly many have have fallen into disrepair. The present castle, which now houses the Government's administrative offices and the Council Chamber, sits on the site of one of the first forts to be built on the island.
The Entrance to High Knoll Fort A number of canon used on the island in that earlier period can still be seen on the island; some are mounted on their original carriages while others have been displaced. Two guns, mounted in their original position at Ladder Hill Fort are reminders of the first and second world wars. They occupy a strategic position overlooking the ocean gateway to Jamestown.
A number of places still bear names of prominent positions that constantly remind the inhabitants of their history. Such places are Alarm Forest, Alarm Hill, Two Gun Saddle, Samson’s Battery, Bank’s Battery, Munden’s Battery, Ladder Hill Fort and High Knoll Fort. Of these High Knoll Fort and Bank’s Battery attract most attention today. High Knoll with its attractive thick stone walls, two wells and magazines stands on high ground whilst Bank’s Battery stands on a prominent coastal position with a good view of the harbour.