Edinburgh of the Seven Seas

Understand

thumb|View of the entire volcanic cone of Tristan da Cunha

Tristan da Cunha is the most remote archipelago in the world, while the main island (also known as Tristan da Cunha) is the most remote inhabited island in the world. The nearest speck of land not part of the archipelago, Saint Helena, is a whopping 2430 km (1509 mi) away, and it's over 2816 km (1750 mi) to the nearest continent, Africa.

The island uses GMT. As the location is at , solar noon is at about ten to one.

The entire population of some 270 inhabitants is concentrated on the only flat bit of this volcanic landmass, the hamlet of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas on the main island, recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the most isolated human settlement in the world. There are a few other islands in the archipelago, all uninhabited: Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island, Middle Island and Stoltenhoff Island. Gough Island, some 300 km away, hosts a weather and scientific research outpost.

The mountainous island never freezes below 500m, and the temperatures stay between 5 and 17°C in the winter and 11 to 25°C in the summer.

Get in

thumb|West coast of Tristan da Cunha

Get around

thumb|right|320px|Map of the Tristan da Cunha group and Gough Island thumb|270px|Edinburgh of the Seven Seas map

See

There is generally rugged terrain, which has several types of more or less harsh beauty, as you can see from some of the photos on this page.

Post Office and Tourism Centre (in the centre of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas): This serves as the island's main visitor hub. Inside you'll find display cases with artefacts, photographs, and exhibits covering Tristan's volcanic history, shipwrecks, early settlers, wildlife, and daily life.

There is also a small historic museum that can be rented as a place to stay.

Do

thumb|upright 1.3|Gough moorhen

The Island organizes fishing excursions, walks, climbs and even golf for visitors. Once again, consult their website for more information. Climb the volcano – this is very weather-dependent, but on a clear day you may be able to reach either "First Base" (the plateau above the settlement) or even Queen Mary's Peak (the summit). A guide is required and costs (shared by all hikers): £200 for a trip to the peak or £120 (2 guides) or £60 (one guide) to the base. Visit the fish factory – tours of the island's fish processing factory are often available to visitors. Golf – the Tristan da Cunha Golf Club is often called the most remote golf course in the world. A golf package (including play, certificate, scorecard, and tie) can be arranged for around £20 through the Tourism Department.