The islanders, however, returned in 1963 and the settlement was rebuilt.
Narrow valleys or gulches radiate from the central peak which remain snow covered in winter.
On the northwestern plain, the deposits has formed green fields where the islanders grow their potatoes.
Photo credit
The remote location of the islands makes transport to the outside world difficult.
Lacking an airport, the islands can be reached only by sea.
The islands were first sighted in 1506 by Portuguese explorer Tristao da Cunha but rough seas prevented a landing.
It took another 140 years before the first human set foot on the island.
The first recorded landing was made in 1643 by the crew of theHeemstede.
30 years later the first permanent settler had arrived.
His good name was Jonathan Lambert and he sailed all the way from Salem, Massachusetts, United States.
He declared the islands his property and named them theIslands of Refreshment.
All of the residents are farmers and they own their own stock.
No family own personal property on this island - all land is communally owned.
There are even various measures in place to prevent better off families from gaining excess wealth!
Health care is free, but there is just one resident doctor from South Africa and only five nurses.
There are old style local shops, and a large supermarket.
View more pictures of the island onthis Flickr set.
Official website:www.tristandacunha.org
Sources:1,2
