Divyanshu67/squad_v2 huggingface dataset:
Saint_Helena

The island was uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese in 1502. One of the most remote islands in the world, it was for centuries an important stopover for ships sailing to Europe from Asia and South Africa. Napoleon was imprisoned there in exile by the British, as were Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo (for leading a Zulu army against British rule) and more than 5,000 Boers taken prisoner during the Second Boer War.

Question: When was the island discovered?
Answer: 1502

Question: How many Boers were taken prisoner during the Second Boer War?
Answer: more than 5,000

Question: Why was Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo imprisoned on the island?
Answer: leading a Zulu army against British rule
Saint_Helena

Most historical accounts state that the island was discovered on 21 May 1502 by the Galician navigator João da Nova sailing at the service of Portugal, and that he named it "Santa Helena" after Helena of Constantinople. Another theory holds that the island found by da Nova was actually Tristan da Cunha, 2,430 kilometres (1,510 mi) to the south, and that Saint Helena was discovered by some of the ships attached to the squadron of Estêvão da Gama expedition on 30 July 1503 (as reported in the account of clerk Thomé Lopes). However, a paper published in 2015 reviewed the discovery date and dismissed the 18 August as too late for da Nova to make a discovery and then return to Lisbon by 11 September 1502, whether he sailed from St Helena or Tristan da Cunha. It demonstrates the 21 May is probably a Protestant rather than Catholic or Orthodox feast-day, first quoted in 1596 by Jan Huyghen van Linschoten, who was probably mistaken because the island was discovered several decades before the Reformation and start of Protestantism. The alternative discovery date of 3 May, the Catholic feast-day for the finding of the True Cross by Saint Helena in Jerusalem, quoted by Odoardo Duarte Lopes and Sir Thomas Herbert is suggested as being historically more credible.

Question: What date was the island discovered on?
Answer: 21 May 1502

Question: What navigator discovered the island?
Answer: João da Nova

Question: What country was João da Nova doing service for?
Answer: Portugal

Question: What person is Saint Helena Island named after?
Answer: Helena of Constantinople
Saint_Helena

The Portuguese found the island uninhabited, with an abundance of trees and fresh water. They imported livestock, fruit trees and vegetables, and built a chapel and one or two houses. Though they formed no permanent settlement, the island was an important rendezvous point and source of food for ships travelling from Asia to Europe, and frequently sick mariners were left on the island to recover, before taking passage on the next ship to call on the island.

Question: What did the island have an abundance of when discovered?
Answer: trees and fresh water.

Question: What was imported by the settlers of the island?
Answer: livestock, fruit trees and vegetables

Question: What kind of buildings were built by the settlers?
Answer: a chapel and one or two houses.

Question: Who was left on the island to recover when sick?
Answer: mariners

Question: What was the island a source of for ships travelling from Asia to Europe?
Answer: food
Saint_Helena

The Dutch Republic formally made claim to Saint Helena in 1633, although there is no evidence that they ever occupied, colonised or fortified it. By 1651, the Dutch had mainly abandoned the island in favour of their colony at the Cape of Good Hope.

Question: Who claimed Saint Helena in 1633?
Answer: The Dutch Republic

Question: What year did the Dutch abandon the island?
Answer: 1651

Question: Which colony did the Dutch abandon the island for?
Answer: Cape of Good Hope.
Saint_Helena

In 1657, Oliver Cromwell granted the English East India Company a charter to govern Saint Helena and the following year the company decided to fortify the island and colonise it with planters. The first governor, Captain John Dutton, arrived in 1659, making Saint Helena one of Britain's oldest colonies outside North America and the Caribbean. A fort and houses were built. After the Restoration of the English monarchy in 1660, the East India Company received a royal charter giving it the sole right to fortify and colonise the island. The fort was renamed James Fort and the town Jamestown, in honour of the Duke of York, later James II of England.

Question: Who was granted a charter to govern Saint Helena?
Answer: the English East India Company

Question: Who granted the English East company a character to govern the island?
Answer: Oliver Cromwell

Question: Who was the first governor of Saint Helena?
Answer: Captain John Dutton

Question: What year did the first governor arrive to Saint Helena?
Answer: 1659

Question: Who had the sole right to fortify and colonize the island?
Answer: East India Company
Saint_Helena

Between January and May 1673, the Dutch East India Company forcibly took the island, before English reinforcements restored English East India Company control. The company experienced difficulty attracting new immigrants, and sentiments of unrest and rebellion fomented among the inhabitants. Ecological problems, including deforestation, soil erosion, vermin and drought, led Governor Isaac Pyke to suggest in 1715 that the population be moved to Mauritius, but this was not acted upon and the company continued to subsidise the community because of the island's strategic location. A census in 1723 recorded 1,110 people, including 610 slaves.

Question: What did the English East India Company have difficulty attracting?
Answer: new immigrants

Question: What problems lead to a suggesting to relocate the population?
Answer: Ecological problems

Question: What was the name of the governor who suggested relocating the population of Saint Helena?
Answer: Isaac Pyke

Question: What was the location that was suggested the population be moved too?
Answer: Mauritius

Question: How many slaves were on the island in 1723?
Answer: 610
Saint_Helena

18th century governors tried to tackle the island's problems by implementing tree plantation, improving fortifications, eliminating corruption, building a hospital, tackling the neglect of crops and livestock, controlling the consumption of alcohol and introducing legal reforms. From about 1770, the island enjoyed a lengthy period of prosperity. Captain James Cook visited the island in 1775 on the final leg of his second circumnavigation of the world. St. James' Church was erected in Jamestown in 1774 and in 1791–92 Plantation House was built, and has since been the official residence of the Governor.

Question: When did the Island start to experience a period of prosperity?
Answer: 1770

Question: What captain visited the island in 1775 on their trip around the world?
Answer: James Cook

Question: What church was erected in Jamestown in 1774?
Answer: St. James' Church

Question: What is the official residence of the governor?
Answer: Plantation House
Saint_Helena

On leaving the University of Oxford, in 1676, Edmond Halley visited Saint Helena and set up an astronomical observatory with a 7.3-metre-long (24 ft) aerial telescope with the intention of studying stars from the Southern Hemisphere. The site of this telescope is near Saint Mathew's Church in Hutt's Gate, in the Longwood district. The 680-metre (2,230 ft) high hill there is named for him and is called Halley's Mount.

Question: Who set up an astronomical observatory on Saint Helena?
Answer: Edmond Halley

Question: What university did Edmond Halley attend?
Answer: University of Oxford

Question: How many feet was the telescope that was set up in the observatory?
Answer: 24

Question: What district is the telescope set up in?
Answer: Longwood district

Question: What hemisphere of stars did Edmond Halley want to study with the telescope?
Answer: Southern
Saint_Helena

Throughout this period, Saint Helena was an important port of call of the East India Company. East Indiamen would stop there on the return leg of their voyages to British India and China. At Saint Helena ships could replenish supplies of water and provisions, and during war time, form convoys that would sail under the protection of vessels of the Royal Navy. Captain James Cook's vessel HMS Endeavour anchored and resupplied off the coast of St Helena in May 1771, on her return from the European discovery of the east coast of Australia and rediscovery of New Zealand.

Question: Saint Helena was an important port of which company?
Answer: East India Company

Question: What did ships replenish at Saint Helena?
Answer: water and provisions

Question: What vessel was owned by Captain James?
Answer: HMS Endeavour

Question: What vessel resupplied at the Island in May 1771?
Answer: HMS Endeavour

Question: Vessels of what navy protected convoys?
Answer: Royal
Saint_Helena

In 1815, the British government selected Saint Helena as the place of detention of Napoleon Bonaparte. He was taken to the island in October 1815. Napoleon stayed at the Briars pavilion on the grounds of the Balcombe family's home until his permanent residence, Longwood House, was completed in December 1815. Napoleon died there on 5 May 1821.

Question: The British government detained who in Saint Helena?
Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte

Question: What year was Napoleon Bonaparte taken to the island?
Answer: 1815

Question: Where did Napoleon Bonaparte stay until he found permanent residence?
Answer: Briars pavilion

Question: What ended up being the permanent residence of Napoleon Bonaparte?
Answer: Longwood House

Question: What year did Napoleon Bonaparte pass away?
Answer: 1821
Saint_Helena

After Napoleon's death, the thousands of temporary visitors were soon withdrawn and the East India Company resumed full control of Saint Helena. Between 1815 and 1830, the EIC made available to the government of the island the packet schooner St Helena, which made multiple trips per year between the island and the Cape carrying passengers both ways, and supplies of wine and provisions back to the island.

Question: Who took full control of the island after Napoleon's death?
Answer: East India Company

Question: The EIC made what available to the government of the island between 1815 and 1830?
Answer: the packet schooner St Helena

Question: The packet schooner St Helena brought supplies of what to the island?
Answer: wine and provisions
Saint_Helena

Owing to Napoleon's praise of Saint Helena’s coffee during his exile on the island, the product enjoyed a brief popularity in Paris in the years after his death.

Question: Which product of Saint Helena was praised by Napoleon?
Answer: coffee

Question: Where did Saint Helena's coffee get popular after Napoleon's death?
Answer: Paris

Question: What product got popular in Paris after Napoloen's death?
Answer: coffee
Saint_Helena

Although the importation of slaves to St Helena had been banned in 1792, the phased emancipation of over 800 resident slaves did not take place until 1827, which was still some six years before the British Parliament passed legislation to ban slavery in the colonies.

Question: When was importation of slaves banned in Saint Helena?
Answer: 1792

Question: The emancipation of the slaves of Saint Helena did not take place until what year?
Answer: 1827

Question: Who banned slavery in their colonies?
Answer: British Parliament

Question: Over how many slaves ended up getting emancipated on Saint Helena?
Answer: 800
Saint_Helena

Under the provisions of the 1833 India Act, control of Saint Helena was passed from the East India Company to the British Crown, becoming a crown colony. Subsequent administrative cost-cutting triggered the start of a long-term population decline whereby those who could afford to do so tended to leave the island for better opportunities elsewhere. The latter half of the 19th century saw the advent of steam ships not reliant on trade winds, as well as the diversion of Far East trade away from the traditional South Atlantic shipping lanes to a route via the Red Sea (which, prior to the building of the Suez Canal, involved a short overland section). These factors contributed to a decline in the number of ships calling at the island from 1,100 in 1855 to only 288 in 1889.

Question: What act gave control of Saint Helena to the British Crown?
Answer: 1833 India Act

Question: Who turned over control of Saint Helena to the British Crown?
Answer: East India Company

Question: During the latter half of the 19th century what ships became prevalent that weren't dependent on trade winds?
Answer: steam ships

Question: How many ships were going to the island in 1855?
Answer: 1,100

Question: By 1889 how many ships were going to the island?
Answer: 288
Saint_Helena

In 1840, a British naval station established to suppress the African slave trade was based on the island, and between 1840 and 1849 over 15,000 freed slaves, known as "Liberated Africans", were landed there.

Question: Who established a naval station to cut down on African slave trade on the island in 1840?
Answer: British

Question: Between 1840 and 1849 how many freed slaves landed on the island?
Answer: over 15,000

Question: What were the freed slaves known as?
Answer: Liberated Africans
Saint_Helena

In 1858, the French emperor Napoleon III successfully gained the possession, in the name of the French government, of Longwood House and the lands around it, last residence of Napoleon I (who died there in 1821). It is still French property, administered by a French representative and under the authority of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Question: Which french emperor gained possession of Longwood house and the land surrounding it?
Answer: Napoleon III

Question: What year did the French Emperor Napoleon III take control of Longwood house?
Answer: 1858

Question: Who was the last resident of Longwood house before Napoleon III took it over?
Answer: Napoleon I

Question: Who has authority over Longwood house?
Answer: French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Saint_Helena

On 11 April 1898 American Joshua Slocum, on his famous and epic solo round the world voyage arrived at Jamestown. He departed on 20 April 1898 for the final leg of his circumnavigation having been extended hospitality from the governor, his Excellency Sir R A Standale, presented two lectures on his voyage and been invited to Longwood by the French Consular agent.

Question: Who arrived in Jamestown during their solo round the world voyage?
Answer: Joshua Slocum

Question: When did Joshua Slocum arrive in Jamestown?
Answer: 11 April 1898

Question: When did Joshua Slocum depart from Jamestown to continue his trip?
Answer: 20 April 1898

Question: Who presented two lectures on their voyage?
Answer: Sir R A Standale
Saint_Helena

During this period, the island enjoyed increased revenues through the sale of flax, with prices peaking in 1951. However, the industry declined because of transportation costs and competition from synthetic fibres. The decision by the British Post Office to use synthetic fibres for its mailbags was a further blow, contributing to the closure of the island's flax mills in 1965.

Question: What did the Island sell for increased revenue during this period?
Answer: flax

Question: What year did flax prices peak?
Answer: 1951

Question: The British Post Offices decision to use what kind of fibres hurt the flax industry?
Answer: synthetic fibres

Question: What year did the Island's flax mills close?
Answer: 1965
Saint_Helena

From 1958, the Union Castle shipping line gradually reduced its service calls to the island. Curnow Shipping, based in Avonmouth, replaced the Union-Castle Line mailship service in 1977, using the RMS (Royal Mail Ship) St Helena.

Question: What year did the Union Castle shipping line slowly start to reduce their service calls to the island?
Answer: 1958

Question: Which shipping company replaced Union-Castle Line mailship service?
Answer: Curnow Shipping

Question: What year was Union-Castle Line mailship replaced?
Answer: 1977
Saint_Helena

The British Nationality Act 1981 reclassified Saint Helena and the other Crown colonies as British Dependent Territories. The islanders lost their right of abode in Britain. For the next 20 years, many could find only low-paid work with the island government, and the only available employment outside Saint Helena was on the Falkland Islands and Ascension Island. The Development and Economic Planning Department, which still operates, was formed in 1988 to contribute to raising the living standards of the people of Saint Helena.

Question: What right was lost by the citizen of the islands due to the act?
Answer: right of abode in Britain

Question: What department was formed to help raise the living standards of the citizens in Saint Helena?
Answer: The Development and Economic Planning Department

Question: What year was the Development and Economic Planning Department formed?
Answer: 1988

Question: Where was the only work outside of Saint Helena located?
Answer: Falkland Islands and Ascension Island
Saint_Helena

The Saint Helena Constitution took effect in 1989 and provided that the island would be governed by a Governor and Commander-in-Chief, and an elected Executive and Legislative Council. In 2002, the British Overseas Territories Act 2002 granted full British citizenship to the islanders, and renamed the Dependent Territories (including Saint Helena) the British Overseas Territories. In 2009, Saint Helena and its two territories received equal status under a new constitution, and the British Overseas Territory was renamed Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.

Question: What year did the Saint Helena Constitution officially take effect?
Answer: 1989

Question: In 2002 what act granted full British citizenship to the citizens of the islands?
Answer: British Overseas Territories Act 2002

Question: What were the dependent territories renamed to?
Answer: British Overseas Territories
Saint_Helena

The UK government has spent £250 million in the construction of the island's airport. Expected to be fully operational early 2016, it is expected to help the island towards self-sufficiency and encourage economic development, reducing dependence on British government aid. The airport is also expected to kick start the tourism industry, with up to 30,000 visitors expected annually. As of August, 2015 ticketing was postponed until an airline could be firmly designated.

Question: How much money was spent on construction of the island's airport?
Answer: 250 million

Question: Which government built the island's airport?
Answer: UK government

Question: When was the airport expected to be fully functional?
Answer: early 2016

Question: Which industry is the airport supposed to help when it becomes complete?
Answer: tourism

Question: How many tourists are expected annually thanks to the airport?
Answer: up to 30,000
Saint_Helena

Located in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) from the nearest major landmass, Saint Helena is one of the most remote places in the world. The nearest port on the continent is Namibe in southern Angola, and the nearest international airport the Quatro de Fevereiro Airport of Angola's capital Luanda; connections to Cape Town in South Africa are used for most shipping needs, such as the mail boat that serves the island, the RMS St Helena. The island is associated with two other isolated islands in the southern Atlantic, also British territories: Ascension Island about 1,300 kilometres (810 mi) due northwest in more equatorial waters and Tristan da Cunha, which is well outside the tropics 2,430 kilometres (1,510 mi) to the south. The island is situated in the Western Hemisphere and has the same longitude as Cornwall in the United Kingdom. Despite its remote location, it is classified as being in West Africa by the United Nations.

Question: What is the nearest port to Saint Helena?
Answer: Namibe

Question: What is the closest international airport to Saint Helena called?
Answer: the Quatro de Fevereiro Airport

Question: What is the mail boat that serves the island called?
Answer: RMS St Helena

Question: What hemisphere is the island located in?
Answer: Western

Question: What area is the island classified as being in by the United Nations?
Answer: West Africa
Saint_Helena

The island of Saint Helena has a total area of 122 km2 (47 sq mi), and is composed largely of rugged terrain of volcanic origin (the last volcanic eruptions occurred about 7 million years ago). Coastal areas are covered in volcanic rock and warmer and drier than the centre. The highest point of the island is Diana's Peak at 818 m (2,684 ft). In 1996 it became the island's first national park. Much of the island is covered by New Zealand flax, a legacy of former industry, but there are some original trees augmented by plantations, including those of the Millennium Forest project which was established in 2002 to replant part of the lost Great Wood and is now managed by the Saint Helena National Trust. When the island was discovered, it was covered with unique indigenous vegetation, including a remarkable cabbage tree species. The island's hinterland must have been a dense tropical forest but the coastal areas were probably also quite green. The modern landscape is very different, with widespread bare rock in the lower areas, although inland it is green, mainly due to introduced vegetation. There are no native land mammals, but cattle, cats, dogs, donkeys, goats, mice, rabbits, rats and sheep have been introduced, and native species have been adversely affected as a result. The dramatic change in landscape must be attributed to these introductions. As a result, the string tree (Acalypha rubrinervis) and the St Helena olive (Nesiota elliptica) are now extinct, and many of the other endemic plants are threatened with extinction.

Question: How many square miles is Saint Helena?
Answer: 47

Question: What kind of rock are coastal regions of Saint Helena covered with?
Answer: volcanic

Question: How many feet high is the highest peak of Saint Helena?
Answer: 2,684

Question: What year did Diana's Peak officially become a state park?
Answer: 1996

Question: What was formed in 2002 to replant parts of the great wood?
Answer: Millennium Forest project
Saint_Helena

There are several rocks and islets off the coast, including: Castle Rock, Speery Island, the Needle, Lower Black Rock, Upper Black Rock (South), Bird Island (Southwest), Black Rock, Thompson's Valley Island, Peaked Island, Egg Island, Lady's Chair, Lighter Rock (West), Long Ledge (Northwest), Shore Island, George Island, Rough Rock Island, Flat Rock (East), the Buoys, Sandy Bay Island, the Chimney, White Bird Island and Frightus Rock (Southeast), all of which are within one kilometre (0.62 miles) of the shore.

Question: How close are the rockets and islets off the coast?
Answer: one kilometre

Question: Which direction from the island is Upper Black Rock located?
Answer: South

Question: Which direction from the island is Bird Island located?
Answer: Southwest

Question: Which direction from the island is Lighter Rock located?
Answer: West

Question: Which direction from the island is Frightus Rock located?
Answer: Southeast
Saint_Helena

The national bird of Saint Helena is the Saint Helena plover, known locally as the wirebird. It appears on the coat of arms of Saint Helena and on the flag.

Question: What is the national bird of Saint Helena?
Answer: the Saint Helena plover

Question: What is the Plover known locally as?
Answer: wirebird
Saint_Helena

The climate of Saint Helena is tropical, marine and mild, tempered by the Benguela Current and trade winds that blow almost continuously. The climate varies noticeably across the island. Temperatures in Jamestown, on the north leeward shore, range between 21–28 °C (70–82 °F) in the summer (January to April) and 17–24 °C (63–75 °F) during the remainder of the year. The temperatures in the central areas are, on average, 5–6 °C (9.0–10.8 °F) lower. Jamestown also has a very low annual rainfall, while 750–1,000 mm (30–39 in) falls per year on the higher ground and the south coast, where it is also noticeably cloudier. There are weather recording stations in the Longwood and Blue Hill districts.

Question: What current affects the environment of Saint Helena?
Answer: Benguela Current

Question: On average, how much lower are the temperatures in the central areas in celsius?
Answer: 5–6
Saint_Helena

In 1840, St Helena became a provisioning station for the British West Africa Squadron, preventing slavery to Brazil (mainly), and many thousands of slaves were freed on the island. These were all African, and about 500 stayed while the rest were sent on to the West Indies and Cape Town, and eventually to Sierra Leone.

Question: In 1840 what did Saint Helena become?
Answer: a provisioning station

Question: What squadron was Saint Helena a provisioning station for?
Answer: British West Africa Squadron

Question: What country did the British West Africa Squadron prevent slaves from being sent to?
Answer: Brazil

Question: How many slaves ended up staying on the island after being freed?
Answer: 500

Question: How many slaves were freed from the island?
Answer: many thousands
Saint_Helena

The citizens of Saint Helena hold British Overseas Territories citizenship. On 21 May 2002, full British citizenship was restored by the British Overseas Territories Act 2002. See also British nationality law.

Question: What kind of citizenship do the citizens of Saint Helena hold?
Answer: British Overseas Territories citizenship

Question: On what date was full British citizenship restored to the citizens of the island?
Answer: 21 May 2002

Question: What act restored the full British citizenship of the citizens of Saint Helena?
Answer: British Overseas Territories Act 2002
Saint_Helena

During periods of unemployment, there has been a long pattern of emigration from the island since the post-Napoleonic period. The majority of "Saints" emigrated to the UK, South Africa and in the early years, Australia. The population has steadily declined since the late 1980s and has dropped from 5,157 at the 1998 census to 4,255 in 2008. In the past emigration was characterised by young unaccompanied persons leaving to work on long-term contracts on Ascension and the Falkland Islands, but since "Saints" were re-awarded UK citizenship in 2002, emigration to the UK by a wider range of wage-earners has accelerated due to the prospect of higher wages and better progression prospects.

Question: What was there a long pattern of from the island starting during the post Napoleonic period?
Answer: emigration

Question: When did the population of the island start to steadily decline?
Answer: late 1980s

Question: What was a big factor in emmigration to the UK?
Answer: prospect of higher wages
Saint_Helena

Most residents belong to the Anglican Communion and are members of the Diocese of St Helena, which has its own bishop and includes Ascension Island. The 150th anniversary of the diocese was celebrated in June 2009.

Question: What communion do most residents of the island belong to?
Answer: Anglican

Question: When was the 150th anniversary of the diocese celebrated?
Answer: June 2009

Question: Not only are most residents of the island members of the Anglican communion, but what else?
Answer: the Diocese of St Helena

Question: The Diocese of Saint Helena has it's own what?
Answer: bishop
Saint_Helena

Other Christian denominations on the island include: Roman Catholic (since 1852), Salvation Army (since 1884), Baptist (since 1845) and, in more recent times, Seventh-day Adventist (since 1949), New Apostolic and Jehovah's Witnesses (of which one in 35 residents is a member, the highest ratio of any country). The Catholics are pastorally served by the Mission sui iuris of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, whose office of ecclesiastical superior is vested in the Apostolic Prefecture of the Falkland Islands.

Question: When did Roman Catholics start to appear on the island?
Answer: 1852

Question: What year did the Salvation Army show up on Saint Helenas?
Answer: 1884

Question: When did Baptists come to the island?
Answer: 1845

Question: How many Johovah's Witnesses were on the island?
Answer: 35

Question: When did the Seventh-day Adventist arrive on the island?
Answer: 1949
Saint_Helena

Executive authority in Saint Helena is vested in Queen Elizabeth II and is exercised on her behalf by the Governor of Saint Helena. The Governor is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the British government. Defence and Foreign Affairs remain the responsibility of the United Kingdom.

Question: Who has executive authority in Saint Helena?
Answer: Queen Elizabeth II

Question: Who exercises the authority on behalf of the queen in Saint Helena?
Answer: the Governor

Question: Who is responsible for Defence and Foreign Affairs?
Answer: the United Kingdom
Saint_Helena

There are fifteen seats in the Legislative Council of Saint Helena, a unicameral legislature, in addition to a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker. Twelve of the fifteen members are elected in elections held every four years. The three ex officio members are the Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary and Attorney General. The Executive Council is presided over by the Governor, and consists of three ex officio officers and five elected members of the Legislative Council appointed by the Governor. There is no elected Chief Minister, and the Governor acts as the head of government. In January 2013 it was proposed that the Executive Council would be led by a "Chief Councillor" who would be elected by the members of the Legislative Council and would nominate the other members of the Executive Council. These proposals were put to a referendum on 23 March 2013 where they were defeated by 158 votes to 42 on a 10% turnout.

Question: How many seats are in the Legislative Council of Saint Helena?
Answer: 15

Question: Who presides over the executive council?
Answer: the Governor

Question: The head of government on the island is who?
Answer: the Governor

Question: When were proposals for a Chief Councillor put on hold?
Answer: 23 March 2013
Saint_Helena

One commentator has observed that, notwithstanding the high unemployment resulting from the loss of full passports during 1981–2002, the level of loyalty to the British monarchy by the St Helena population is probably not exceeded in any other part of the world. King George VI is the only reigning monarch to have visited the island. This was in 1947 when the King, accompanied by Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother), Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and Princess Margaret were travelling to South Africa. Prince Philip arrived at St Helena in 1957 and then his son Prince Andrew visited as a member of the armed forces in 1984 and his sister the Princess Royal arrived in 2002.

Question: What caused high unemployment on the island?
Answer: loss of full passports

Question: Who is the only reigning Monarch to have visited the island?
Answer: King George VI

Question: What year did King George VI visit the island?
Answer: 1947

Question: When did Prince Phillip arrive in Saint Helena?
Answer: 1957

Question: Prince Andrews, son of Prince Phillip visited in what year?
Answer: 1984
Saint_Helena

In 2012, the government of St. Helena funded the creation of the St. Helena Human Rights Action Plan 2012-2015. Work is being done under this action plan, including publishing awareness-raising articles in local newspapers, providing support for members of the public with human rights queries, and extending several UN Conventions on human rights to St. Helena.

Question: What did the government of Saint Helena fund in 2012?
Answer: St. Helena Human Rights Action Plan 2012-2015

Question: What kind of articles were published to help this plan?
Answer: awareness-raising articles

Question: How was support for members of the public given?
Answer: with human rights queries
Saint_Helena

St Helena has long been known for its high proportion of endemic birds and vascular plants. The highland areas contain most of the 400 endemic species recognised to date. Much of the island has been identified by BirdLife International as being important for bird conservation, especially the endemic Saint Helena plover or wirebird, and for seabirds breeding on the offshore islets and stacks, in the north-east and the south-west Important Bird Areas. On the basis of these endemics and an exceptional range of habitats, Saint Helena is on the United Kingdom's tentative list for future UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Question: Saint Helena has a high proportion of what kind of birds?
Answer: endemic

Question: What kind of plants are common on Saint Helena?
Answer: vascular

Question: What organization identified Saint Helena as important for bird conservation?
Answer: BirdLife International

Question:  Saint Helena is on the United Kingdom's list for future what?
Answer: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Saint_Helena

St Helena's biodiversity, however, also includes marine vertebrates, invertebrates (freshwater, terrestrial and marine), fungi (including lichen-forming species), non-vascular plants, seaweeds and other biological groups. To date, very little is known about these, although more than 200 lichen-forming fungi have been recorded, including 9 endemics, suggesting that many significant discoveries remain to be made.

Question: How many lichen forming fungi have been recorded on the island?
Answer: more than 200

Question: How many endemic species of fungi have been found?
Answer: 9

Question: What kind of invertebrates have been found on the island?
Answer: freshwater, terrestrial and marine
Saint_Helena

The island had a monocrop economy until 1966, based on the cultivation and processing of New Zealand flax for rope and string. St Helena's economy is now weak, and is almost entirely sustained by aid from the British government. The public sector dominates the economy, accounting for about 50% of gross domestic product. Inflation was running at 4% in 2005. There have been increases in the cost of fuel, power and all imported goods.

Question: What kind of crop economy did the Island originally have?
Answer: monocrop

Question: What year did the crop economy change?
Answer: 1966

Question: What was produced during the time the Island was monocrop?
Answer: flax

Question: Saint Helena's economy is now almost completely sustained by what?
Answer: aid from the British government

Question: How much % of production does the public sector cover?
Answer: 50%
Saint_Helena

The tourist industry is heavily based on the promotion of Napoleon's imprisonment. A golf course also exists and the possibility for sportfishing tourism is great. Three hotels operate on the island but the arrival of tourists is directly linked to the arrival and departure schedule of the RMS St Helena. Some 3,200 short-term visitors arrived on the island in 2013.

Question: What is the tourist industry mostly based around?
Answer: the promotion of Napoleon's imprisonment

Question: What kind of fishing tourism occurs on the island?
Answer: sportfishing

Question: How many hotels are on the island?
Answer: 3

Question: Tourism is completely based on what arriving to the island?
Answer: the RMS St Helena
Saint_Helena

Saint Helena produces what is said to be the most expensive coffee in the world. It also produces and exports Tungi Spirit, made from the fruit of the prickly or cactus pears, Opuntia ficus-indica ("Tungi" is the local St Helenian name for the plant). Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha and Saint Helena all issue their own postage stamps which provide a significant income.

Question: What does Saint Helena have the most expensive of?
Answer: coffee

Question: What is Tungi Spirit made out of?
Answer: Opuntia ficus-indica

Question: Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha and Saint Helena all issue their own what?
Answer: postage stamps
Saint_Helena

Quoted at constant 2002 prices, GDP fell from £12 million in 1999-2000 to £11 million in 2005-06. Imports are mainly from the UK and South Africa and amounted to £6.4 million in 2004-05 (quoted on an FOB basis). Exports are much smaller, amounting to £0.2 million in 2004-05. Exports are mainly fish and coffee; Philatelic sales were £0.06 million in 2004-05. The limited number of visiting tourists spent about £0.4 million in 2004-05, representing a contribution to GDP of 3%.

Question: What was the GDP of the island in 1999-2000?
Answer: £12 million

Question: By 2006 the GDP had dropped to what?
Answer: £11 million

Question: Imports to the island mostly occur from what countries?
Answer: the UK and South Africa

Question: What are the main exports of the island?
Answer: fish and coffee

Question: Tourists spent how much in  2004-05?
Answer: £0.4 million
Saint_Helena

Public expenditure rose from £10 million in 2001-02 to £12 million in 2005-06 to £28m in 2012-13. The contribution of UK budgetary aid to total SHG government expenditure rose from £4.6 million in to £6.4 million to £12.1 million over the same period. Wages and salaries represent about 38% of recurrent expenditure.

Question: How much was public expenditure on the island in 2001-2002?
Answer: £10 million

Question: By 2005-06 public expenditure had risen to what?
Answer: £12 million

Question: In 2012-2013, public expenditure was what?
Answer: £28m

Question: UK aid had risen to how much in the same period?
Answer: £12.1 million

Question:  Wages and salaries represent how much % of the island's expenditure?
Answer: 38%
Saint_Helena

Unemployment levels are low (31 individuals in 2013, compared to 50 in 2004 and 342 in 1998). Employment is dominated by the public sector, the number of government positions has fallen from 1,142 in 2006 to just over 800 in 2013. St Helena’s private sector employs approximately 45% of the employed labour force and is largely dominated by small and micro businesses with 218 private businesses employing 886 in 2004.

Question: How many individuals were unemployed on the island in 2013?
Answer: 31

Question: Employment on the island is dominated by what sector?
Answer: public

Question: In 2013 the number of government jobs was what?
Answer: 800

Question: What % of people are employed in the private sector in Saint Helena?
Answer: 45

Question: How many private businesses employee people on Saint Helena?
Answer: 218
Saint_Helena

Household survey results suggest the percentage of households spending less than £20 per week on a per capita basis fell from 27% to 8% between 2000 and 2004, implying a decline in income poverty. Nevertheless, 22% of the population claimed social security benefit in 2006/7, most of them aged over 60, a sector that represents 20% of the population.

Question: What % of households were spending less than £20 per week in 2004
Answer: 8%

Question: What % of the population claimed social security benefits in 2006/7?
Answer: 22

Question: How much of the population is over age 60?
Answer: 20%
Saint_Helena

In 1821, Saul Solomon issued a 70,560 copper tokens worth a halfpenny each Payable at St Helena by Solomon, Dickson and Taylor – presumably London partners – that circulated alongside the East India Company's local coinage until the Crown took over the island in 1836. The coin remains readily available to collectors.

Question: How many copper tokens were Issued in 1821?
Answer: 70,560

Question: Who issued the copper tokens in 1821?
Answer: Saul Solomon

Question: How much was each copper token worth?
Answer: a halfpenny

Question: When did the Crown take over the island?
Answer: 1836
Saint_Helena

Today Saint Helena has its own currency, the Saint Helena pound, which is at parity with the pound sterling. The government of Saint Helena produces its own coinage and banknotes. The Bank of Saint Helena was established on Saint Helena and Ascension Island in 2004. It has branches in Jamestown on Saint Helena, and Georgetown, Ascension Island and it took over the business of the St. Helena government savings bank and Ascension Island Savings Bank.

Question: What is the Saint Helena currency?
Answer: the Saint Helena pound

Question: The government of Saint Helena produces it's own what?
Answer: coinage and banknotes

Question: What year was the Bank of Saint Helena established?
Answer: 2004

Question: The Saint Helena pound is at parity with what other currency?
Answer: pound sterling
Saint_Helena

Saint Helena is one of the most remote islands in the world, has one commercial airport under construction, and travel to the island is by ship only. A large military airfield is located on Ascension Island, with two Friday flights to RAF Brize Norton, England (as from September 2010). These RAF flights offer a limited number of seats to civilians.

Question: How many commercial airports are under construction in Saint Helena?
Answer: 1

Question: What is the only method of travel currently available to Saint Helena?
Answer: ship

Question: A large airfield is located on what portion of the island?
Answer: Ascension Island

Question: What kind of flights are offered to limited civilians?
Answer: RAF flights
Saint_Helena

The ship RMS Saint Helena runs between St Helena and Cape Town on a 5-day voyage, also visiting Ascension Island and Walvis Bay, and occasionally voyaging north to Tenerife and Portland, UK. It berths in James Bay, St Helena approximately thirty times per year. The RMS Saint Helena was due for decommissioning in 2010. However, its service life has been extended indefinitely until the airport is completed.

Question: What ship runs between Saint Helena and Cape town on 5 day voyages?
Answer: RMS Saint Helena

Question: What year was the RMS Saint Helena supposed to be decommissioned?
Answer: 2010

Question: What needs to be completed before the RMS Saint Helena can be decommissioned?
Answer: the airport
Saint_Helena

After a long period of rumour and consultation, the British government announced plans to construct an airport in Saint Helena in March 2005. The airport was expected to be completed by 2010. However an approved bidder, the Italian firm Impregilo, was not chosen until 2008, and then the project was put on hold in November 2008, allegedly due to new financial pressures brought on by the Financial crisis of 2007–2010. By January 2009, construction had not commenced and no final contracts had been signed. Governor Andrew Gurr departed for London in an attempt to speed up the process and solve the problems.

Question: When was the construction of an airport in Saint Helena announced?
Answer: March 2005

Question: The airport was expected to be completed by what year?
Answer: 2010

Question: Who was the approved bidder for the airport?
Answer: Impregilo

Question: Which governor departed to London to try to speed up the construction of the airport?
Answer: Andrew Gurr
Saint_Helena

On 22 July 2010, the British government agreed to help pay for the new airport using taxpayer money. In November 2011 a new deal between the British government and South African civil engineering company Basil Read was signed and the airport was scheduled to open in February 2016, with flights to and from South Africa and the UK. In March 2015 South African airline Comair became the preferred bidder to provide weekly air service between the island and Johannesburg, starting from 2016.

Question: When did the British government agree to help pay for the new airport in Saint Helena?
Answer: 22 July 2010

Question: Which south african company is helping to engineer the airport? 
Answer: Basil Read

Question: The new airport opening date is when?
Answer: February 2016

Question: Which countries will be able to fly to Saint Helena using the airport?
Answer: South Africa and the UK

Question: Which airline will provide weekly service to Saint Helena?
Answer: Comair
Saint_Helena

The first helicopter landing at the new airfield was conducted by the Wildcat HMA.2 ZZ377 from 825 Squadron 201 Flight, embarked on visiting HMS Lancaster on 23 October 2015.

Question: Who conducted the first helicopter landing at the airfield?
Answer: Wildcat HMA.2 ZZ377

Question: Where did the helicopter embark on visiting?
Answer: HMS Lancaster

Question: When did the aircraft visit HMS Lancaster?
Answer: 23 October 2015
Saint_Helena

Radio St Helena, which started operations on Christmas Day 1967, provided a local radio service that had a range of about 100 km (62 mi) from the island, and also broadcast internationally on shortwave radio (11092.5 kHz) on one day a year. The station presented news, features and music in collaboration with its sister newspaper, the St Helena Herald. It closed on 25 December 2012 to make way for a new three-channel FM service, also funded by St. Helena Government and run by the South Atlantic Media Services (formerly St. Helena Broadcasting (Guarantee) Corporation).

Question: What day did Radio Saint Helena start operations?
Answer: Christmas Day 1967

Question: What was the range of Radio Saint Helena in miles?
Answer: 62

Question: How many days a year was Radio Saint Helena broadcast internationally?
Answer: 1

Question: What newspaper did Radio Saint Helena collaborate with?
Answer: St Helena Herald

Question: What day was Saint Helena Radio shut down?
Answer: 25 December 2012
Saint_Helena

Saint FM provided a local radio service for the island which was also available on internet radio and relayed in Ascension Island. The station was not government funded. It was launched in January 2005 and closed on 21 December 2012. It broadcast news, features and music in collaboration with its sister newspaper, the St Helena Independent (which continues).

Question: What date was Saint FM radio launched?
Answer: January 2005

Question: What date was Saint FM radio closed?
Answer: 21 December 2012

Question: Which newspaper is the sister company of Saint FM radio?
Answer: St Helena Independent
Saint_Helena

Saint FM Community Radio took over the radio channels vacated by Saint FM and launched on 10 March 2013. The station operates as a limited-by-guarantee company owned by its members and is registered as a fund-raising Association. Membership is open to everyone, and grants access to a live audio stream.

Question: Which company took over the channels vacated by Saint FM?
Answer: Saint FM Community Radio

Question: What date did Saint FM Community Radio launch?
Answer: 10 March 2013

Question: What kind of people can join Saint Fm Radio Community?
Answer: everyone
Saint_Helena

St Helena Online is a not-for-profit internet news service run from the UK by a former print and BBC journalist, working in partnership with Saint FM and the St Helena Independent.

Question: Who runs Saint Helena online?
Answer: a former print and BBC journalist

Question: Who is partnered with Saint Helena online?
Answer: Saint FM and the St Helena Independent
Saint_Helena

Sure South Atlantic Ltd ("Sure") offers television for the island via 17 analogue terrestrial UHF channels, offering a mix of British, US, and South African programming. The channels are from DSTV and include Mnet, SuperSport and BBC channels. The feed signal, from MultiChoice DStv in South Africa, is received by a satellite dish at Bryant's Beacon from Intelsat 7 in the Ku band.

Question: What does Sure South Atlantic LTD offer?
Answer: television

Question: How many analogue terrestrial UHF channels does Sure South Atlantic LTD have?
Answer: 17

Question: What is the feed signal of Sure South Atlantic received by?
Answer: a satellite dish
Saint_Helena

SURE provide the telecommunications service in the territory through a digital copper-based telephone network including ADSL-broadband service. In August 2011 the first fibre-optic link has been installed on the island, which connects the television receive antennas at Bryant's Beacon to the Cable & Wireless Technical Centre in the Briars.

Question: SURE provides what kind of service to the territory?
Answer: telecommunications

Question: What kind of network does SURE provide it's service from?
Answer: digital copper-based telephone network

Question: When was the first fibre-optic network installed?
Answer: August 2011