Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha is a British Overseas Territory located in the South Atlantic and consisting of the island of Saint Helena, Ascension Island and the archipelago of Tristan da Cunha.
Its name was Saint Helena and Dependencies until 1 September 2009, when a new constitution came into force giving the three islands equal status within the territory.[6] Despite this change, the whole territory is still commonly referred to as simply Saint Helena after its main island.[citation needed] Similarly, the demonym Saint Helenians (or “Saints”) and the derived name for the local nationality is commonly understood to include Ascension Islanders and Tristanians, as well.
St Helena
Saint Helena (/həˈliːnə/ hə-LEE-nə) is a volcanic tropical island in the South Atlantic Ocean, 4,000 kilometers (2,500 mi) east of Rio de Janeiro and 1,950 kilometers (1,210 mi) west of the mouth of the Cunene River, which marks the border between Namibia and Angola in southwestern Africa. It is part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Saint Helena measures about 16 by 8 kilometers (10 by 5 mi) and has a population of 4,534 (2016 census). It was named after Saint Helena of Constantinople.
It is one of the most remote islands in the world and was uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese in 1502. It was an important stopover for ships sailing to Europe from Asia and South Africa for centuries. Napoleon was imprisoned there in exile by the British, as was Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo (for leading a Zulu army against British rule) and more than 5,000 Boers taken prisoner during the Second Boer War, including Piet Cronjé.
Saint Helena is Britain’s second-oldest overseas territory after Bermuda.
addresses
N. Guem
27 Back St
Jamestown
STHL 1ZZ
Saint Helena
N. Guem
27 Back St, Jamestown
Saint Helena
STHL 1ZZ
South Atlantic Ocean
Mail is routed to Saint Helena from UK via to Johannesburg, South Africa by air and no longer by ship; thus turn around time for mail is much quicker than from the other territories despite Saint Helena being one of the most remote populated islands in the world.
Although I am not addressing my letter to anyone in particular, addresses in Saint Helena are unique in that they represent the very close-kinit community of the Saints. A common format is thus:
Recipient’s Name
House Name or “Near …” (there are no house numbers in Saint Helena)
Locality (e.g. Jamestown, Half Tree Hollow, Longwood)
Saint Helena (some specify “Island of” to prevent mail going to California)
STHL 1ZZ
South Atlantic Ocean