Ascension Island : Profile
A mountainous peak rising from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, Ascension is a dormant volcanic island like Tristan da Cunha and the Azores on the mid-Atlantic volcanic ridge.
Ascension Island is part of a British Overseas Territory, (nowadays called St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) under the sovereignty of the British Crown.
The 34 sq mile (88 sq km) island is a communications centre for Cable & Wireless, the BBC, the RAF, the US Air Force and the European Ariane project.
Although a traditional port of call for ships on the Cape of Good Hope route, the few yachts that sail on this route only occasionally stop at Ascension. Because of their isolation, the people who work on the island are friendly and hospitable.
The climate is sub-tropical with temperatures ranging from 20-31°C.
Showers occur throughout the year with slightly heavier rains in the January-April period. The island is under the influence of the SE trade winds for most of the year.
The weather can change rapidly.
Contact Turtle Radio on VHF Channel 16
Turtle Radio VHF Channel 16 Weather reports
Clarence Bay, Georgetown
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*Indicates a port of entry.
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