Tristan da Cunha

Tristan da Cunha, group of small volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, administered as part of the British dependency of Saint Helena. The islands lie at latitude 37°6' south and longitude 12°1' west. The total area of the islands is 202 sq km (78 sq mi). Tristan, the largest (98 sq km/38 sq mi) and only permanently inhabited island (population, 1988, 313), has a volcano 2,060 m (6,760 ft) high, thought to be extinct until 1961, when an eruption occurred. Most of the inhabitants are descendants of British soldiers who were stationed on Tristan da Cunha during the captivity of Napoleon on Saint Helena; some are descendants of settlers from whaling ships. The islanders are supported by agriculture, fishing, and livestock raising. Since 1942 it has been a British radio and meteorological station. Until 1948 no organized form of government existed. In 1950 the first administrator was appointed by Saint Helena, and a general election for an island council took place in 1952. Other islands in the group include Gough, Inaccessible, and Nightingale. The islands were discovered in 1506 by a Portuguese fleet led by Admiral Tristão da Cunha and were annexed by Britain in 1816. All inhabitants were evacuated following the volcanic eruption in 1961, but returned in 1963.