Tristan da Cunha, la isla habitada más remota del planeta

Según consta en el libro Guinness de los Records, Tristan da Cunha es la isla permanentemente habitada más remota del planeta. Esta isla está situada en el archipiélago que lleva su mismo nombre, en mitad del Océano Atlántico Sur a 2334 km de su vecino más cercano, la isla de Santa Elena al Norte y a 2778 km de Ciudad del Cabo al Este.

El Archipiélago Tristan da Cunha, está formado por cinco islas: la más pequeña es Nightingale que junto con los islotes Middle y Stoltenhoff tiene una superfície aproximada de 2 km cuadrados, le sigue la isla Inaccesible de unos 10 km cuadrados, y la mayor de las cinco y única habitada, que es la que da nombre al archipiélago, la isla Tristán da Cunha con 99 km cuadrados. A pocos kilómetros de distancia está también la isla Gough (93 km), que junto con las cinco islas depende de la colonia británica de Santa Elena.

Actualmente las Islas Inaccesible y Gough están catalogadas como Reserva Natural por la UNESCO, por albergar una de las colonias de aves marinas más importantes del planeta, así como varias especies endémicas de aves y plantas.

Fue descubierta en 1506 por el navegante portugués Tristäo d’Acunha, y aunque no pudo desembarcar en ella por el mal tiempo, le puso su nombre. Durante los siglos XVIII y XIX era un lugar de paso muy conocido para los cazadores de focas y ballenas.

En la actualidad viven allí unas 275 personas según el censo de 2004, pero lo curioso es que solo hay ocho apellidos distintos (Glass, Swain, Rogers, Green, Hagan, Repetto, Lavarello, y el más reciente Patterson desde 1987), así que casi todos son familia. La familia más antigua es la de los Glass, descendientes del primer habitante permanente de la isla, el caporal William Glass que tras permanecer durante un año con una pequeña guarnición en 1816, regresó en busca de su mujer para establecerse definitivamente con ella y sus dos hijos.

Es una isla volcánica con un terreno muy accidentado, formada casi por completo por un enorme volcán, el Queen Mary’s Peak, de 2060 metros de altura aún activo, que en 1961 entró en erupción obligando a evacuar la isla y dejarla abandonada durante dos años. Toda la población se concentra en su capital Edimburgo de los Siete Mares, llamada así en honor del Duque de Edimburgo que visitó la isla en 1867. Es una ciudad situada en la cara norte de la isla, en la única zona plana habitable y cultivable en la desembocadura de uno de los ríos más caudalosos. No hay aeropuerto y solo la visitan unos diez barcos al año para repartir el correo y abastecer de todo lo necesario a sus escasos 300 habitantes.


Fuentes: Kiyoaki, Mz




Tristan da Cunha

To begin with, Tristan da Cunha is an island volcano. Often called ‘The Lonely Island,’ Tristan da Cunha is known as the most remote inhabited island in the planet. The island is actually a tip of an old volcano, rising some 2,000 feet above waters. The land is comprised of cinders and several other types of volcanic rocks, usually covered in noticeable orographic clouds.
This British territory is consisting of the main island of Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island and some uninhabited islands like the Nightingale Islands and the Inaccessible Island. Though it is considered very remote, Tristan da Cunha is now boasting to have its own radio station broadcasting four days weekly, a café shop, a convenience store and a video shop. With its relatively small land area, the basic necessities and simple pleasures in life in the island are already provided by such establishments.
Agriculture is the main industry and means of livelihood throughout the islands. It is not surprising that land is communally owned. Policies are strict that no outsiders could ever buy or own land in Tristan da Cunha. Tourism is also becoming a strong suit for the archipelago. Aside from the sights and natural richness, visitors are awed by culture, the lobster factory and the regular auctions for old coins and postage stamps. Despite its remote location, Tristan da Cunha surely is a collectors’ haven.
Be reminded that because of its remoteness, Tristan da Cunha has a very difficult transport system. Do not expect to see any airport. The island group is reached only through boat. However, many fishing boats coming from nearby South Africa go to the islands on a regular basis. When going to Tristan da Cunha, arrange for definite transports and schedule your itineraries well.

Geography

Tristan da Cunha is classified technically as an archipelago because it has several islands. The main island is mountainous, being volcanic in origin. The capital of Edinburgh is the sole flat area. Located at the northwest coast of Tristan da Cunha, Edinburgh is at times called by sailors as the ‘Edinburgh of Seven Seas.’ Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands are situated southwest of Tristan da Cunha’s main island.
Needless to say, the climate in the archipelago is marine subtropical. There are minor differences in temperature especially between summer and winter. The differences can even be felt between day and night. Days are usually warmer than nights. The highest peak in the islands is Queen Mary’s peak, which is almost always covered by white snow in winter. Tristan da Cunha is believed to have been formed by formation of upwelling magma, which is called by experts as Tristan hotspot.

History

Tristan da Cunha was originally discovered by Portuguese navigators in 1506. The first group of navigators was led by Tristao d’Acunha. Thus, the name was set after him. The five islands in the archipelago were often visited by whalers and sealers in the 18th and 19th centuries.
After World War I, the island group was brought into total isolation. Basic commodities ran short. London’s Society for the Propagation of the Gospel sent aid in 1922. Since then, many British bodies had dropped by. In 1938, Tristan da Cunha was formally proclaimed a British dependency by the British Government.
The Queen was vested executive authority over the island group. She is represented by St. Helena’s governor, who resides permanently in the island of St. Helena. An Administrator is formally appointed to take care of the islands and represent the governor. Tristan da Cunha, being remote that it is, has its distinct set of its own laws. Interestingly, the population barely reaches 300. Inhabitants share seven family names, namely, Green, Lavarello, Glass, Swain, Rogers, Repetto and Hagan.

Fuente: The Travelen