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Ascension Island
built 658 days ago
Ascension Island natural habitat is bare, volcanic rock. Most of the plants seen on the island today were introduced, many by Kew Gardens. Some were planted in order to increase rainfall and some were brought for food supplies and building resources. Most of the introduced plants can be seen at Green Mountain.
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With a surface area that stretches to 90 km2, Ascension Island is located approximately in the middle of the South-Atlantic Ocean (7º56’S, 14º22’W). The nearest land is that of St-Helena, roughly estimated as being 1'200 km far.
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A brown, barren island in the South Atlantic, Ascension Island has attracted to its shores a diverse group of people: British soldiers, telegraph workers (an early breed of tele-sales marketers?), US military and a handful of migrants from nearby Saint Helena. Biological specialists have ... frequented the island for research purposes, generally finding that the island is incredibly unique but awfully brown. In a bold attempt to add some colour to the landscape, Ascension Islanders have managed to plant an artificial forest, aptly named Green Mountain. In honour of this feat, the local government has even gone so far as to call it a national park.
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In order to gain an entry to Ascension Island, people need the written permission of the Administrator. It is nearly impossible to take up permanent residence. Employment is a requirement to stay on the island. The UK government has asserted that no inhabitant of Ascension Island has a "right to abode". As the local newspaper The Islander reports,
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In 1982 when Argentine forces invaded the Falklands, Ascension Island proved essential to British forces in their efforts to retake the islands from Argentina. Wideawake airfield became the busiest airport in the world as the RAF flew in supplies to aid the Task Force. A squadron of RAF Harriers was based on the island to repel any possible Argentine attack.
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In 1982, Ascension Island was used as a staging post for the British Task Force during the Falklands War. The Royal Air Force deployed a fleet of Vulcan bombers at the airfield. The opening shots of the British offensive were launched from Ascension by Vulcans in Operation Black Buck. The RAF ... used the base to supply the Task Force. Because of the increase in air traffic during the war, Wideawake was the busiest airfield in the world for a short period. The Royal Navy's fleet stopped at Ascension for refuelling on the way.
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Ascension Island