its importance as a port of call declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.
Today, the island is home to some 4,000 residents.
Jamestown, Saint Helena Island.
In this valley, sandwiched between steep cliffs, is nestled the town, capital and port of Jamestown.
Jamestown is Saint Helenas most peculiar settlement.
The town is rather long, thin and densely populated, with tightly knit, long and winding streets.
Shrubs and trees decorate some of the street corners.
The surrounding terrain is rough and steep, and rockfalls are an occurrence, sometimes damaging buildings.
The house is now run as a museum and maintained by the French government.
Life is slow and hard in Saint Helena.
There are no chain stores here and the handful of local shops close for the day at 4pm.
Wednesday is a half-day and few businesses open at all at the weekend.
There is no mobile data pipe on the island, and internet connection is irregular and spotty.
Economy is weak and is almost entirely sustained by aid from the British government.
Unemployment is a persistent problem, and many residents work abroad.
Last year, only 3,200 visitors arrived on the island.
