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Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, Saint Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th century. It acquired fame as the place of Napoleon BONAPARTE's exile, from 1815 until his death in 1821, but its importance as a port of call declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. Ascension Island is the site of a US Air Force auxiliary airfield; Gough Island has a meteorological station.
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Country
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Surface Area: 410 square km
Population: 7,415 (July 2004 est.)
Located in: islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa
Capital City: Jamestown
Head of State: Queen ELIZABETH II
Prime Minister: Governor and Commander in Chief David HOLLAMBY (Michael CLANCY (taking office in October 2004)
Independent since: overseas territory of the UK
Currency: Saint Helenian pound (SHP)
Flag (image): 
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