ST. HELENA

47 square miles of rock, which history has largely ignored. Apart from one little chap....

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1502: Portuguese explorer Juan de Nova Castella discovers the island on his return from the East Indies (he may have also found Ascension on the way out). The Portuguese will spasmodically settle the island over the new few centuries, but never permanently.

1588: English explorer Captain Thomas Cavendish lands on 8th June whilst on the last stage of his voyage around the world on his ship Desire.

1633: The United Provinces (Netherlands+Belgium) claims the island, but never pursues the claim.

1659: East India Company granted charter to settle the island.
    
1673: Dutch occupation (January-May) during Third Dutch War.

1815: The British use the island as an effective prison for Napoleon.

1821: Napoleon dies. 

1830-70: Whaling industry dominant.      

1832: East India Company finally abolished slavery on the island, purchasing the freedom of the 614 slaves for the sun of £28,062 17s.

1833: Direct UK control replaces East India Company.

1858: Longwood House (where Napoleon stayed) and the Sane Valley (where he was buried) are given to the French government.  

1899: Submarine cable landed.  This connected the Island to Cape Town and was the first stage in the link north to Ascension and thence to England.

1900: Island used as internment camp during Boer War.
1999: In an attempt to bolster the sagging island economy, the government announce plans for a new airport. For 2010!  

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