Tristan da Cunha, group of small
volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, lies at about latitude 37�6' south
and longitude 12�1' west. The total area of the islands is about 202 sq km.. Tristan da
Cunha, the largest one only permanently inhabited island has a volcano 2,060 m. Most of
the inhabitants are descendants of British soldiers who were stationed on Tristan da Cunha
during the captivity of Napoleon on St Helena. The islanders are mainly dependent on
agriculture, fishing, and livestock. Since 1942 it has been a British radio and
meteorological station. The islands were discovered in 1506 by a Portuguese fleet
led by Admiral Trist�o da Cunha and were annexed by Great Britain in 1816. All
inhabitants were evacuated following the volcanic eruption in 1961, but returned in 1963.
stan da
Cunha, the largest one only permanently inhabited island has a volcano 2,060 m. Most of
the inhabitants are descendants of British soldiers who were stationed on Tristan da Cunha
during the captivity of Napoleon on St Helena. The islanders are mainly dependent on
agriculture, fishing, and livestock. Since 1942 it has been a British radio and
meteorological station. The islands were discovered in 1506 by a Portuguese fleet
led by Admiral Trist�o da Cunha and were annexed by Great Britain in 1816. All
inhabitants were evacuated following the volcanic eruption in 1961, but returned in 1963.