Georgetown Map

Description: This map shows streets, roads, trails, beaches, buildings, houses, cafes, bars, hotels, museums, shops, churches, and points of interest in Georgetown.

Other Maps of Georgetown

Georgetown is the capital and chief settlement of Ascension Island, a British Overseas Territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. Situated on the western coast of the island, it serves as the administrative center and main port. The town was established in 1815 when the British Royal Navy first garrisoned the island during Napoleon's exile on Saint Helena.

With a population of approximately 450 residents, Georgetown represents the majority of Ascension's total population of around 800 people. Most inhabitants work for organizations operating on the island, including the British and United States military facilities, the BBC Atlantic Relay Station, and the European Space Agency tracking station. The settlement is located within the shadow of Green Mountain, a dormant volcanic peak that dominates Ascension's landscape.

The town features a distinctly colonial architectural style, with many buildings constructed from volcanic stone. Key facilities include the island's only hospital, a small supermarket, a post office, a bank, a police station, and government administrative offices. Georgetown Pier serves as the primary point of entry for supplies arriving by sea. The nearby Wideawake Airfield, operated jointly by the Royal Air Force and United States Air Force, provides the island's air connection to the outside world.

Historical points of interest in Georgetown include Fort Hayes, a 19th-century fortification built to protect the harbor, and St. Mary's Church, constructed in 1843. The Heritage Society Museum offers exhibits on the island's natural and human history. Just offshore lies the wreck of the HMS Dampier, a British naval vessel that sank in 1942 and is now a popular diving site.

Georgetown experiences a hot desert climate with relatively stable temperatures year-round, averaging between 72-82°F (22-28°C). The settlement receives limited rainfall, contributing to the surrounding arid landscape. Water is primarily supplied through desalination plants, as natural freshwater sources are scarce on the island.

Despite its remote location-approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from the coast of Africa and 1,400 miles (2,250 km) from South America-Georgetown maintains strategic importance as a communications hub and military installation in the South Atlantic region. Access to the island remains restricted, with visitors requiring prior permission from the Ascension Island Government before arrival.

Main sights in Georgetown