Images from the South Atlantic Corridor
Welcome to Ascension Island
Ascension Island was discovered in 1501 by a Portuguese admiral Juan da Nova Castella, the island is approximately 34 sq. miles an of a volcanic in origin.
The Island is rugged, dry, and barren, and covered by basalt lava flows and cinder cones but has superb white sandy beaches.
History
The Island became strategically significant with the exile of Napoleon to St. Helena, The British were concerned that it could be used in an attempt to rescue Napoleon. as a result a small British naval garrison was established on the Island in October 1815.
In 1823 the garrison was taken over by the Royal Marines and the Island remained a naval possession until 1922 when Ascension became a dependency of St. Helena.
In 1942 US Army Engineers built the airfield, but after W.W.II the Island reverted back to the sole use of Cable and Wireless. In 1957 the US presence was re-established on Ascension with the extension of the Eastern Test Range followed by the construction of a NASA tracking station.
In 1966 the BBC constructed a short wave relay station to serve South America and Africa.Ascension came to an international notice during the Falklands war when it served as a staging post for the British forces en route to and from the Falklands.
Wildlife
Ascension has a variety of wildlife
A regular visitor to the white sandy beaches are the green turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs between January and may.
Land crabs are common and they can be found on the lava and terrain and can be seen almost all year round.
Sooty turns or wide awakes as they are more commonly known can be found on the island as well as other sea birds including frigate birds and petrels.
Population
The population of Ascension is approximately 1200 made up of all employees from the various organizations from St Helena United Kingdom and USA.
Although Ascension is barren with large rocky out crops there are residential areas which are Two Boats Village Georgetown Travelers Hill USAF Base
Government
A resident Administrator governs the island
Ascension has now formed a Government and has introduced taxation to the Island however the tax payers on the island can not have the right of abode to live on the island
The Island has only one school at two boats village and runs a UK standard of education system.
Visiting Ascension
When visiting Ascension as a tourist you will need written permission from the islands Administrator
One can either fly from RAF Brize Norton or by the royal mail ship St Helena.
There is one hotel on the island and no public transport facilities, Car Hire facilities are available from the hotel but cheaper car hire facilities can also be found on the island by locally run hire drive companies.
Information on visiting the Island can also be found on the Ascension Government website
