| Ascension Island | |
 | |
Location  | |
Coat of arms and flag   | |
| State | UK |
|---|---|
| Region | Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha |
| Capital | Georgetown |
| Surface | 88 km² |
| Inhabitants | 806 (2016) |
| Institutional website | |
Ascension Island it's an addiction British overseas located in the South Atlantic Ocean. Administratively it is part of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
To know
The island serves as a base for satellite / telematic interception and espionage.
Geographical notes
The island is located 1,600 km off the coast of Africa and just below the equator.
Background
The island owes its name to the fact that it was discovered by the Galician-Portuguese navigators on the day of the Ascension of Jesus, according to the Catholic religion. During the Second World War the United States of America will build the Widewake military airport, still active and used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force. Moreover, due to its geographical position it played a strategic role during the war of the Falkland.
Spoken languages
Although the first immigrants had distinct origins, it can reasonably be said that the only language spoken is the official one: theEnglish.
Culture and traditions
The main export product is stamps, issued regularly since 1922 at the rate of about 5 or 6 series per year.
Territories and tourist destinations
Ascension Island: full screen map.Urban centers
- Georgetown - It is the most populous settlement on the island and is currently its capital.
- Two Boats - It is a small rural village where Green Mountain National Park is located, a very busy pub, a school and even a swimming pool.
Other destinations
- Cat Hill - Site with about 110 inhabitants used by US organizations for satellite interception.
How to get
Those who want to visit one of the islands of this department must first make one written request[link not working] to the administrative office in charge. Medical insurance coverage that also includes repatriation in case of emergency is mandatory. That said, there are no specific visas to apply for.
Citizens of the following nations are not eligible to obtain an Ascension Island visa:
By plane
- 1 Royal Air Force Station Ascension. It is the only airport in the dependence of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. It is a military airport. Offers biweekly connections from RAF Brize Norton (Oxford, UK). In addition, there is one flight per month that connects Saint Helena to Ascension, which operate during the same day. Furthermore, from Johannesburg is Cape Town were announced by Airlink of connections with Ascension starting from 800 £.
Until February 2018, Sant'Elena Royal Mail Ship, sailed from Cape Town, making a stopover at Ascension and sometimes also at Walvis Bay in Namibia. Previously it was possible to make reservations through Andrew Weir Shipping via the web or by calling 44 20 7816-4803 a London or 27 21 425 1165 a Cape Town. Today the Saint Helena Royal Mail Ship claimed to have closed the route.
How to get around
By car
The island is connected by a dense series of roads that connect all the inhabited places and the various national parks. Some places offer car hire for around £ 15 per day.
By bus
There is no public transport system on the island.
What see
Georgetown
- 1 Anglican Church of Santa Maria, Georgetown ASCN 1ZZ.
always open. Small church that is part of the diocese of Cape Town along with its counterpart on the island of Saint Helena. It was built in the mid-19th century as a naval church and its history is told by some plaques fixed to the inside walls of the building. - Exiles Club (Historic center of Georgetown). Built in 1830, it is a building with a long colonnade and also equipped with a small bell tower. Part of the building is given over to small shops, while the terrace is a resting place for some donkeys
- The city is dotted with small forts, some still with guns in sight
always open. Small church that is part of the diocese of 
- 2 Ascension Parliament, ☎ 247-67000. 08: 30-16: 30 (Monday-Friday).
Green Mountain National Park
- . Building built in the 18th century in a subtropical forest and equipped with a very beautiful bell tower. It is the starting point for numerous trails and walks, which are extremely interesting since the climate in the mountains is usually cooler than in other areas of the island, which are more deserted.
- 3 The Dew Pond. It is the highest point in the national park, about 2,817 feet high, and can be reached by walking for just over a kilometer.
- 4 Devil's Ashpit. A particular extremely suggestive rock formation
What to do
.jpeg/220px-Nesting_Green_Turtle_(109875353).jpeg)
- The island is famous for the sport fishing, and this is the main attraction for most visitors.
- On the island there are also some beaches such as:
- 1 Comfortless Cove (Bay of despair).
- 2 English Bay.
- 3 Long Beach. Although the beach seems inviting, it is characterized by a very dangerous undertow and is therefore not suitable for bathing. However, for wildlife enthusiasts it could prove extremely interesting, as this is where sea turtles nest.
- There are some routes suitable for excursions, especially in the most luxuriant areas.
- 4 One Boat Golf Club (Halfway between Two Boats and Georgetown). Once considered the worst golf course in the world, it is an 18-hole course where the "greens" are actually brown as they are made up of a mixture of sand and oils. Some routes are made with volcanic ash and rock. For fans of the genre it will certainly be a special experience.
- It is possible to do scuba diving in the waters surrounding the island, but at the moment there are no specialized or official agencies that regulate the activity. However, in case you are already experienced enough in diving, some locals may want to help those who want to try diving, perhaps by recommending equally experienced acquaintances;
- On the island it is possible to observe buildings of volcanic origin that could be interesting.
At the table
Food prices are very high throughout the country since any type of food has to be imported. However, if you decide to fish in the coastal waters of the island, perhaps accompanied by some locals, you can go home with a net of tuna. Sometimes the local communities organize fried fish evenings open to all.
There are very few places to eat on the island, and usually with rather unfavorable opening hours. Some noteworthy are:
- The restaurant (It is found at Georgetown at the Obsidian hotel). 19:00-20:30. Dinner by reservation.
- 1 Malvinas Argentinas. 09-17 (Tuesday-Friday) closed from Saturday to Monday. Latin American restaurant that takes the name of the Argentine party opposed to the recognition of the Falkland Islands as a British overseas dependency
Safety
Tap water is normally drinkable.
- 2 Georgetown Hospital, 1ZZ (Georgetown), ☎ 247-66252. Mon-Sun 00: 00-24: 00.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Ascension Island
Commons contains images or other files on Ascension Island
