birdienl | 100 things challenge - 16: Tristan da Cunha

Tristan da Cunha, located in the south Atlantic ocean is the most remote inhabited island of the world. On the island live 264 people, thought to descend from only 15 ancestors, who arrived on the island in the late 19th century. No outsiders are allowed to buy land or to settle on Tristan. The main settlement on the island is officially called Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, but by most islanders just called The Settlement. The island is part of the British Overseas Territory.

The island, located 2,816 km from South Africa lacks an airport, so can only be reached by sea. Fishing vessels from South Africa service the island 8 or 9 times a year. All Tristan families are farmers with own stock, but many people have a dual occupation, often also working for the local government. The islands main source of income is the lobster factory and the sale of postage stamps and coins to overseas collectors! There is one school on the island, which teaches children from ages 4-16. After they leave school, children can take GCSE's, but not many enrol for this.

In 1961, a volcanic eruption on Tristan forced the entire population to be evacuated, first to South Africa, then to England. In 1962, an expedition was sent to the island and reported the main settlement was only marginally affected by the eruption. Most families returned to the island in 1963.