Tristan da Cunha: The Most Remote Inhabited Island

Tristan da Cunha is a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 1,750 miles from South Africa and 2,090 miles from South America. It consists of four islands, but only the largest one, Tristan, is inhabited by about 250 people. The island is volcanic, with a rugged terrain and a temperate climate. The islanders are descendants of British sailors, Italian shipwreck survivors, and African slaves who settled there in the 19th century. They live mostly on subsistence farming and fishing, supplemented by selling stamps, handicrafts, and lobster to passing ships. They have no airport or harbor. The only way to get there is by boat from South Africa, which takes about six days and happens only nine times a year. Life on Tristan is not easy. The islanders have faced natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions and storms that forced evacuations and damaged their crops and infrastructure. They also have limited access to education, health care, entertainment, and communication. However, they are proud of their resilience and self-reliance.