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Tristan da Cunha

Tristan da Cunha is a remote volcanic island group in the South Atlantic Ocean and the name of its main inhabited island.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tristan da Cunha is a remote volcanic island group in the South Atlantic Ocean and the name of its main inhabited island. It is part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The main island is widely described as the world’s most remote inhabited island.

Geography

Tristan da Cunha is an island group in the southern Atlantic Ocean, roughly midway between southern Africa and South America. The main island is small, volcanic and about 98 km² in area.

Administration

The island group is part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. It is administered together with Saint Helena and Ascension Island.

Population and settlement

The inhabited main island is home to a small population concentrated in Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. The other islands in the group are generally uninhabited.

Natural environment

The Tristan da Cunha islands are known for endemic biodiversity and significant marine wildlife. Conservation interest is especially strong around the remote island habitats.

Key facts

  • Tristan da Cunha refers to both the island group and its main inhabited island.
  • The main island had about 250 permanent residents as of October 2018.
  • Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is the only settlement on the main island.
  • The territory includes Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, Inaccessible Island and the Nightingale Islands.
  • The islands are volcanic and noted for remote geography and wildlife.
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Canadian context

No direct Canada-specific connection is established in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

Is Tristan da Cunha a country?
No. It is part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
Where is Tristan da Cunha located?
It is in the South Atlantic Ocean, between southern Africa and South America.
How many people live there?
About 250 permanent residents lived on the main island as of October 2018.
What is the main settlement?
The main and only settlement on the inhabited island is Edinburgh of the Seven Seas.
What islands are included in the territory?
The territory includes Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, Inaccessible Island and the Nightingale Islands.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristan_da_Cunha
    Supports: Main island area, population, inhabited and uninhabited islands.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Tristan-da-Cunha-island-group
    Supports: Island group location and territorial status.
  3. National Geographic Society — https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/our-programs/pristine-seas/tristan-da-cunha/
    Supports: Remote location, biodiversity, and territorial composition.
  4. Wikivoyage — https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Tristan_da_Cunha
    Supports: Settlement name and most remote inhabited island description.
  5. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Tristan_da_Cunha
    Supports: Archipelago composition and geography.