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Ascension

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Overview

Ascension Island is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, just south of the equator, 700 miles (1150 km) northwest of Saint Helena, the United Kingdom territory by which it is administered.

Wikivoyage guide · 16 sections

▸Introduction184 chars

Ascension Island is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, just south of the equator, 700 miles (1150 km) northwest of Saint Helena, the United Kingdom territory by which it is administered.

▸Understand1,162 chars

This barren and not yet inhabited island was discovered and named by the Portuguese in 1501. The British garrisoned the island in 1815 to prevent a rescue of Napoleon from Saint Helena and it served as a provisioning station for the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron on anti-slavery patrol. The island remained under Admiralty control until 1922, when it became a dependency of Saint Helena. During World War II, the UK permitted the US to construct Wideawake airfield on Ascension in support of trans-Atlantic flights to Africa and anti-submarine operations in the South Atlantic. In the 1960s the island became an important space tracking station for the US. In 1982, Ascension was an essential staging area for British forces during the Falklands War, and for a short period prior was one of the busiest airfields in the world, with over 400 take-offs and landings each day. It remains a critical refuelling point in the air-bridge from the UK to the South Atlantic.

The climate on Ascension Island is subtropical. It is arid and lacking in vegetation until the elevation increases where lush forest and fertile soil exists.

The main settlement is Georgetown.

▸Get in251 chars

Facts

Rank

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Coordinates

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia712 words

Introduction

Look up Ascension or ascension in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Ascension or ascending may refer to:

Religion

[edit] "Ascension", the belief in some religions that some individuals have ascended into Heaven without dying first. The Catholic concept of the Assumption of Mary leaves open the question of her death, while in Eastern Christianity the Dormition of the Mother of God presumes her death. In Mormonism, Translation is equivalent to Ascension. Ascension of Jesus Feast of the Ascension (Ascension day), an annual day of feast commemorating Jesus' ascension; a public holiday in several countries The Ascension, another title for the Old English poem Christ II Ascension Cathedral (disambiguation) The Ascension, Lavender Hill, an Anglo-Catholic church on Lavender Hill, Battersea, South West London

More in sights0

Visitors can apply for an E-visa, which must be applied for no less than 14 days before arrival. Applying later than this may result in the visa being refused, even if you meet the requirements. Tourist visas cost £20 for adults, and £5 for under 12s.

▸By plane249 chars

1 RAF Ascension Island (ASI IATA). Ascension Island has monthly service from Johannesburg by way of Saint Helena, operated by Airlink. The military charter flight from RAF Brize Norton close to Oxford in the United Kingdom ceased operating in 2017.

▸By boat111 chars

The Royal Mail Ship Saint Helena retired from passenger service and its site states that flights are available.

▸Get around59 chars

There is no public transport (not even taxis) on Ascension.

▸See1,100 chars

Fort Hayes, Georgetown (there are signs pointing to it near the port). M 5–7PM, Sa 10AM-noon, or by special arrangement if possible (call 2326(W) or 2455(H)).

Fort Thornton, Georgetown (across the port from Fort Hayes).

St Mary's Anglican Church, Georgetown. It's part of Diocese of Cape Town along with its counterpart in St Helena. Built in mid-19th century as the Naval Church. Has much history laid on the Wall Tablets inside.

Red Lion British Navy Barracks, Green Mountain National Park. Built in 18th century in a subtropical forest which covers the Green Mountain, and have a very nice clock-tower. Starting point for many trails and "letterbox" walks (which are special because the climate on the mountain is noticeably cooler than on other desert parts of the island).

The Dew Pond, at the Peak of Green Mountain, Green Mountain National Park. A destination of a notable "letterbox" walk. See how climate zones change during your short 1-mile trip to the 2817-ft peak.

Exiles Club (Marine Barracks). Historical building, dates back to 1830. There are some shops in it as of 2021.

▸Do1,369 chars

Sport fishing is the main attraction for visitors to Ascension Island. There are also some beaches and ocean swimming in certain coves, such as Comfortless Cove and English Bay. Long Beach, as inviting as it looks, has a very hazardous undertow and is not suitable for sea bathing. However, it is a sheer delight for wildlife fans as this is where sea turtles go to nest. There are a few paths (such as Rupert's Path) suitable for hiking into the more lush highlands, as well as mountainside lava tubes to explore. The pastime of letterboxing, hiking to a destination that contains a "letterbox" containing a log book and a rubber stamp pad, is possible here.

Ascension Island features what was at one time reputed to be the world's worst golf course. Located between the settlements of Two Boats village and Georgetown, the course has 18 holes and the greens are better described as 'browns' due to the sand and oil mix used to make them. The rest of the course is made up of volcanic ash and rock, which makes for some interesting rounds.

There is some terrific scuba diving in the waters surrounding Ascension Island. There are only local enthusiasts, however, and no recognized diving operation. Some of the locals are often willing to take experienced visitors with them.

There are fumaroles and lava tunnels to explore (at Command Hill, near the Catholic Grotto).

▸Money224 chars

Ascension Island uses the Saint Helena pound (₤) as its currency, which is fixed to the British pound at a value of 1:1. Saint Helena pound can't be obtained outside Saint Helena or Ascension so bring British pounds in cash.

▸Shopping208 chars

The grocery store and almost every other business on the island have odd hours of operation (for example, the petrol station on Tuesdays is open 14:00-15:00), so make sure you note the times on the first day.

▸Eat537 chars

Because everything is imported, prices for food are very high on the island. If you get the chance to go out fishing with the locals, you may walk away with a bag of tuna. Sometimes the community hosts a fish fry that is open to everyone.

There are very few places to eat, with odd opening hours

The Restaurant, in the Obsidian Hotel, Georgetown. Breakfast 7:30-9AM; dinner 7–8:30PM. For dinners bookings are required.

Snack Bar, at Volcano Club at the US base. Tu-F 5–9PM, Sa 4–9PM (last orders at 8:50PM). American-style fast food.

▸Drink254 chars

The Saints' Club, Georgetown. The bar opens in evenings.

Two Boats Club, Two Boats village. The bar is open from 19:30.

Volcano Club, at the US base. From 17:00. Seems to be the most crowded venue on the island and has the best selection of alcohol.

▸Sleep78 chars

The only hotel, Obsidian, with restaurant and car hire, closed September 2017.

▸Stay healthy23 chars

Tap water is drinkable.

▸Connect645 chars

The country code for Ascension is 247 and the population is too small to need area or trunk STD codes.

The International Prefix is 00.

Subscriber numbers are typically 4 digits long and start with a 2 for the US Base, 3 for Travellers Hill or Airhead, 4 for Two Boats and a 6 or 7 for Georgetown.

Numbers starting with 0 or 5 have been reserved for future Mobile service.

There is a Wi-Fi hotspot in Obsidian Hotel's lobby and patio for £10/day. The Post Office in Georgetown offers a vast array of philatelic items for sale from the three islands of St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha. Airmail is possible, thanks to the airfield.

▸Go next102 chars

Saint Helena is the only reasonable destination you can visit from Ascension Island. See Get in/By sea

[edit] Ascensión Municipality, Chihuahua, Mexico Ascensión, Chihuahua, a city and capital of the municipality Ascensión de Guarayos, Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia Ascension Island, in the southern Atlantic Ocean Ascension Islands, a group of uninhabited islands in Canada Ascension, Prince Edward Island, Canada L'Ascension, Quebec, Canada Ascension Parish, Louisiana, United States Ascensión, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fiction

[edit] Ascension (comic book), a comic book series (1997–2000) created by David Finch Ascension (Star Wars novel), 2011 Ascension (Binge novel), 2023

Film and TV

[edit] The Climb (2017 film) (French title: L'ascension), a French adventure film Dracula II: Ascension, a 2003 direct-to-video American-Romanian horror film Ascension, an award-winning short film produced by Vickie Gest Ascension (miniseries), a television miniseries that aired in December 2014 "Ascension" (The X-Files), a 1994 episode of The X-Files "Ascension", a 1999 episode of Batman Beyond Ascension (Stargate), in the Stargate universe, a process to become a noncorporeal entity on a higher plane of existence (first mentioned in season 3, 2000) "Ascension" (Stargate SG-1), a 2001 Stargate SG-1 episode "Ascension", a 2013 episode of NCIS: Los Angeles Ascension (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), a 2016 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode David Blaine Ascension, a stunt by David Blaine in Page, Arizona, September 2, 2020 Ascension (film), a 2021 American documentary film

Games

[edit] Mage: The Ascension, a role-playing game Ultima IX: Ascension, the final part of the computer role-playing game series Ultima God of War: Ascension, a 2013 game for the PlayStation 3 Ascension: Chronicle of the Godslayer, a 2011 deck-building card game A game map in Zombie Mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops, from the "First Strike" map pack Kanye Quest 3030, which featured a secret map alleged to be linked to a cult religion referred to as "Ascensionism" through use of the password "ASCEND"

Music

[edit] L'Ascension, a suite for orchestra or organ by Olivier Messiaen Ascension, an alias used by the British trance music act The Space Brothers Albums[edit] Ascension (A Flock of Seagulls album), 2018 Ascension (Djam Karet album), 2001 Ascension (Jesu album), 2011 Ascension (John Coltrane album), 1966 Ascension (Misia album), 2007 Ascension (Paradise Lost album), 2025 Ascension (Pep Love album), 2001 The Ascension (2face Idibia album), 2014 The Ascension (Glenn Branca album), 1981 The Ascension (Otep album), 2007 The Ascension (Phil Wickham album), 2013 The Ascension (Sufjan Stevens album), 2020 Ascension, by Michael Pinnella, 2014 Ascension, by Toya Delazy, 2014 The Afterman: Ascension, by progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria, 2012 Songs[edit] "Ascension" (Gorillaz song), by Gorillaz from Humanz, 2017 "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)", by Maxwell from Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, 1996 "Ascension," the only song featured in the 1966 John Coltrane album Ascension "Ascension," by Born of Osiris from The Discovery, 2011 "Ascension," by Enslaved from Isa, 2004 "Ascension," by Fear Factory from Archetype, 2004 "Ascension", by John Frusciante from Curtains, 2005 "Ascension", by Killswitch Engage from Incarnate, 2016 "Ascension", by Mac Miller from GO:OD AM, 2015 "Ascension", by Vanessa Carlton from Liberman, 2015 "The Ascension", by Manowar from Gods of War, 2007 "Ascension (A)", by Sunn O))) from their album Pyroclasts, 2019 "Ascensionism," by Sleep Token from Take Me Back to Eden, 2023

Ships

[edit] HMS Ascension (K502), a Royal Navy frigate in service from 1944 to 1946 MV Ascension, a 1993 cargo and container ship

Other

[edit] Ascension (Calvo), an outdoor 1996 sculpture by Robert Calvo, in Portland, Oregon Ascension (Wercollier), 1978 and 1986 sculptures by Lucien Wercollier Ascension (healthcare system), a Catholic non-profit health system in the United States Ascension (publisher), A Catholic media publisher Ascension Road, Prince Edward Island Route 160, a highway in Canada The Ascension (professional wrestling), a WWE wrestling tag team