World Factbook
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the right half of the flag; the upper third of the shield depicts a white plover on a yellow field; under the bird is a rocky coastline and a three-masted sailing ship with sails furled and flying an English flag history: the flag has been in use since 1984, when it was commissioned to mark the 150th anniversary of Saint Helena becoming a Crown Colony
note: the French flag flies at Longwood House (Napoleon's former residence) and Napoleon's (now-empty) tomb on the island, because the French Government has owned the properties since 1858
Capital
name
Jamestown
etymology
founded in 1659 and named after James, Duke of York, who would become King JAMES II of England
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
15 56 S, 5 43 W
Suffrage
18 years of age
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Constitution
history
several previous; latest effective 1 September 2009 (St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009)
Country name
etymology
on the feast day of Saint Helena in 1502, Spanish navigator Joao da NOVA (sailing for Portugal) sighted and named the island that now bears the saint's name; da NOVA originally named Ascension "Conception Island" in honor of the Virgin Mary, but Portuguese navigator Afonso de ALBUQUERQUE later found the island on the feast day of the Ascension in 1508 and renamed it; Portuguese explorer Tristao da CUNHA sighted the third island in 1506 and named it after himself (the name was later anglicized)
conventional long form
Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha
conventional short form
none
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Legal system
English common law and local statutes
Government type
parliamentary democracy
Judicial branch
note
note: appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
highest court(s)
Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 2 justices); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and judges)
subordinate courts
Magistrates' Court; Small Claims Court; Juvenile Court
judge selection and term of office
Court of Appeal and Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor acting upon the instructions from a secretary of state acting on behalf of the British monarch; justices of both courts serve until retirement at age 70, but terms can be extended
Executive branch
note
note: the constitution order provides for an administrator for Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, appointed by the governor
cabinet
Executive Council consists of the governor, 3 ex-officio officers, and 5 elected members of the Legislative Council
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022)
head of government
Governor Nigel PHILLIPS (since 13 August 2022)
election/appointment process
none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch
National holiday
Official birthday of King Charles III, celebrated in April or June as designated by the governor (1948)
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK
Political parties
none
Legislative branch
note
note: the Constitution Order provides for separate Island Councils for both Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a UK overseas territory
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
Saint Helena plover (wire bird)
National coat of arms
the coat of arms of Saint Helena was officially granted on January 30, 1984; the national bird, the Saint Helena plover ( Charadrius sanctaehelenae ), is at the top of the shield; the lower part of the shield shows a three-masted sailing ship with the mountainous island to the left; below the shield is a scroll with the motto “Loyal and unshakable;” the crest shows an image of Saint Helena, holding a cross and a flower
Administrative divisions
3 administrative areas; Ascension, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation
UPU