This topographic map of Saint Helena dates from 1990. It depicts many features from St. Helena’s colourful past, such as the lodgings of Napoleon Bonaparte. The contour interval is 50 metres.

By 1990, the Overseas Surveys Directorate – Britain’s main provider of maps for overseas aid – had been disbanded. This, therefore, is one of the last maps of a British colony to be made public by the Ordnance Survey, which was itself being commercialised. At the time, the rationale was the falling cost of imagery and tools for mapmaking would make it possible for smaller countries to produce their own maps. In practice, the lack of specialised staff and operating funds, left these maps long outdated in the face of natural disasters, urbanisation and ongoing climate change.

St. Helena is a fortunate exception! For a preview of a map published in 2020, please visit http://sainthelenaisland.info/maps.htm

Earlier 1:10 000 maps are available from TROPICARTA (requires Chomikuj account).