What is India’s link with the world’s remotest island?
By iastoppers.com
The Earth’s most remote inhabited island of about 250 people, is located amidst the vast South Atlantic Ocean.
It takes a challenging 6-day sea journey to reach here from southern tip of South Africa or South America.
Situated between the South Atlantic and Antarctic currents, it houses a unique geographical history, biodiversity, and culture.
The island houses wildlife including sharks, whales, sub-Antarctic fur seals, and endemic species like Tristan thrush, Wilkins finch, Rockhopper penguins, Tristan Albatross, etc.
In 1506, Portuguese explorer Tristao da Cunha discovered it and named the main island after himself, establishing its connection with the world.
The Dutch East India Company made the first undisputed landing on the island in 1643 after establishing a presence in the Indian subcontinent.
After setting up factories in Pulicat, Masulipatnam, Surat, and Bengal, in early 17thCentury, they were defeated in the Battle of Colachel in 1741.
It was annexed by the British in 1816 and remains a constituent part of the British overseas territory of St. Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha.
During World War II a naval meteorological and radio station was set up on Tristan da Cunha.