Ascension Island: the history of discovery, location and territorial affiliation

The island of Ascension can not be called a favorite tourist route. It's more correct to say that tourists on this small piece of land are a rarity. Here, even fans of the "wild" rest do not call in, who do not favor expensive hotels and crowded beaches. This will seem strange to many, because the geographical location of the island is very interesting. But the nature of the island is simple and unpretentious, there is simply no riot of colors and exotic plants. The tourist infrastructure is not developed. Well, what should tourists do there? And anyway, what do we know about this place?

Location of the island

The Ascension Island is volcanic. Location - the south of the Atlantic Ocean. The maps show that it is located about halfway from South America to Africa. From the island of Ascension to the west African coast - about 1600 km.

The area of the island is not great, it is about 91 km. Coastline without strong kinks, but with lots of small coves and bays. The coast has many underwater rocks and shoals.

The story that began with the discovery

What is the island of Ascension interesting? The history of its discovery began in 1501. It was then that the Portuguese João da Nova discovered on his way an unknown land. The traveler sailed to India and did not want to waste time exploring the uninhabited island. The only thing he did was display his find in the ship's ship log.

In 1503, an uninhabited island found itself on the path of another Portuguese - Alfonso d'Albuquerque. The "discoverer" was more curious. He landed on a new island, inspected its territory and named it in honor of the Christian Ascension of the Lord.

For several centuries after the discovery, the Ascension Island remained officially uninhabited. Here sometimes pirates came to replenish fresh water. By the way, the source was found precisely by robbers who were wrecked near the island. It was the ship of the famous British pirate William Dampier.

Settlement of the island

Permanent residents on the island appeared in 1815. During this period Great Britain decided to equip the island of Ascension with a small military outpost. It was assumed that the garrison would be very small, but even with it financial problems arose. There was simply no money in the corresponding budget item. Then the British went to the trick. In the documents they began to refer to the island "The Ship of Her Majesty the Ascension", and the garrison funding flowed from another budget line.

In 1821, the military base on the island of Ascension was expanded, British ships began to enter it. In addition, there were replenished stocks of patrolling ships, which prevented slavers from delivering "live goods".

In the last century, a space observation base was placed on the territory of the island of Ascension. To date, the staff of this base is the population of the island. The average number, according to data ten years ago, slightly exceeds 1000 people, who serve one of the antennas of the satellite navigation system.

Geographical location

In fact, the Ascension is part of the Overseas British territories. This term appeared in 2002 and replaced the term "British Dependent Territories". This overseas territory unites St. Helena, Ascension and the Tristan da Cunha archipelago. Education is subject to the authority of the British Crown, but has self-government and wide autonomy.

The administrative center of the overseas territory is located on St. Helena. Autonomy is so broad that each member of the formation has its own arms and flags. The island of Ascension and the surrounding territories (St. Helena and Tristan da Cunha) are not officially part of the UK. However, this country is their main economic partner. And its development is entirely due to the ingenuity of the British government. All symbols of the overseas territories are approved and approved by the British crown.

Description: coat of arms of the island of Ascension, flag

Until 2012, if necessary, the island of Ascension used the symbols of the United Kingdom. Although one part of this formation, specifically St. Helena, the flag and coat of arms appeared in 1984. In Tristan da Cunha, the official coat of arms appeared in 2002.

Since 2012, the flag of the island of Ascension is considered to be a blue cloth with a flag of Great Britain on its shaft . In the opposite corner is the coat of arms of the island of Ascension. It is an image of one of the attractions of the island - Green Mountain. On the sides are two green turtles holding a shield with images of three albatrosses against the background of the ocean and sky. The design of the coat of arms was developed taking into account the wishes of the inhabitants of the island. In honor of the approval of the flag and the coat of arms of the Great Britain, the commemorative coin "The New Emblem of the Island of the Ascension" was minted.

A note for the tourist: climate and nature

Despite the military base and the lack of tourist infrastructure, guests of the island will find something to see. The main attraction is the space tracking station. Here are allowed small tourist groups on special orders. The rest of the guests admire the majestic antennas from afar. The island has a small military museum, worthy of attention of tourists.

Guests enter the island by airplanes of the British Air Force once a week and on the Royal Mail Ship once a month. The main stream of tourists - private yachts, calling to replenish stocks.

On the island you can climb to the highest point - the Green Mountain. Here, despite the volcanic rocks, flowers and ferns have grown. Many of the plants and insects are found only at this point in the world, which may interest connoisseurs. The coast is inhabited by large marine green turtles and birds.