ASCENSION ISLAND, SouthWest African Islands

1890s HISTORICAL MAP CHART

Ascension Island is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean, and includes tiny satellite islands and rocks such as Boatswain Bird Island, Boatswain Bird Rock (East), White Rocks (South), and Tartar Rock (West, at the shore of Georgetown). It is a Crown Colony of the United Kingdom. It is one of a number of hotspot oceanic islands in the South Atlantic (which include the sister islands of Saint Helena and Tristan da Cunha). The capital is Georgetown. The main island has an area of approximately 35 square miles. A volcanic peak rising from just west of the mid-Atlantic Ridge, much of the island is a wasteland of lava flows and cinder cones; no less than 44 distinct craters have been identified. While it was barren with very few plants as recently as 1843, Ascension Island's Green Mountain is now one of the few large-scale artificial forests, and is gradually growing with each year. Its highest point is at 2817 ft. Ascension's climate is subtropical, with temperatures at the coast ranging from about 68 to 88 Fahrenheit, and about 10 degrees cooler at the highest point. Rain showers may occur at any time during the year, but tend to be heavier between January and April.The Portuguese explorer Joao da Nova Castelia was apparently the first to discover the island (in 1501), but did not report it. So when in 1503 Alphonse d'Albuquerque saw the island on Ascension Day, he named it for the day of its sighting. Dry and barren, it had little appeal for passing ships, and remained uninhabited until 1815, when the British garrisoned it as a precaution after imprisoning Napoleon I of France on St Helena to the southeast. The Royal Navy officially designated the island as "HMS Ascension" with the classification of "Sloop of War of the smaller class". A Stone ship was a naval nickname for such land based establishments.

1890s Wood Engraving Antique Map

Approximate Overall Size: 7 X 10 1/2 inches

CONDITION: Book Plate INTEXT MAP - Excellent Condition. Beautiful with excellent detail. There is Text on Front and Back Side.