Jamestown, Saint Helena

Jamestown, Saint Helena

Jamestown is the capital city of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, located on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is on the island's north-western coast and was founded in 1659 when colonists from the English East India Company settled there. For a time, it was the only port on the island until the port at Rupert's Bay was developed.

Many buildings from the 1700s still stand, giving the town a special historic feel. The city briefly hosted Napoleon in 1815 when he was staying on the island. It also served as a base for the Royal Navy to help stop the slave trade. Jamestown did not play a big role in the First World War and only a small part in the Second World War.

History

See also: History of Saint Helena

Jamestown was founded in 1659 by the East India Company. It was named after James, Duke of York, who later became King James II of England. A fort was built there and later called James Fort. People have lived in the town ever since, under English and British rule.

After his defeat in the Battle of Waterloo, the Emperor of the French, Napoleon, stayed in Jamestown for a short time before moving to a more remote place on the island. During the Second World War, an oil ship was sunk in James Bay by a German submarine. Only a few crew members survived. The ship leaked oil for many years until it was cleaned up in 2015.

Geography and description

Jamestown is built on special rock in a valley named James Valley, squeezed between tall cliffs. The city is long and narrow because of this. A small stream named the Run flows through the valley. Jamestown is the main place for visitors to arrive, even though a new airport opened in 2017.

The city has many old buildings, mostly from a time named the Georgian era. Main Street is famous for its beautiful old architecture. Many buildings are made from the island’s own volcanic rock. St James' Church, from 1772, is the oldest Anglican church in the Southern Hemisphere. Jacob's Ladder is a popular spot with 699 steps connecting Jamestown to an old fort. The Museum of Saint Helena is also located here.

Formal status

Jamestown is officially called a city. This special title was given by Queen Victoria in 1859, and its full name is the "City of James Town". It is one of the 8 districts and serves as the capital of the island of Saint Helena and the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The Castle is one of the oldest buildings in the city and is an important government building.

Climate

Jamestown has a tropical hot desert climate. This means the temperatures stay steady all year. The nearby ocean and cold currents stop the temperatures from getting too hot. The city is about 5 °C (9 °F) warmer than the rest of the island because it is lower. Jamestown gets very little rain—less than 5 inches (13 cm) each year. The higher parts of the island get more rain, up to 39 inches (99 cm) a year, and are covered in green plants. The waters around Jamestown can get rough, but a sea wall helps protect the city.

Population

In 2016, 629 people lived in Jamestown. This was fewer than in 2008, when there were 714 people. Jamestown is not the largest place on the island. It has fewer people than Half Tree Hollow, Saint Paul's, and Longwood. Jamestown is the smallest city in its British-governed area.

Education

As a British territory, the island uses the British education system. In Jamestown, there is one primary school for children ages four to eleven, called Pilling Primary School. The island's only secondary school is St Helena Secondary School in Saint Paul's.

Religion

The Anglican Parish of St. James is one of the three parishes of the Diocese of St Helena on the island. St James' Church is the main church in the parish and is the oldest Anglican Church in the southern hemisphere. The current building was built in 1772. There are three smaller churches: St John's in Upper Jamestown, St Mary's at the Briars, and St Michael's in Rupert's Valley. The only Catholic Church in St Helena, Sacred Heart Church, is located in Jamestown, along with a Baptist church.