Longwood, Administrative district in Saint Helena
Longwood is an administrative district in the northern part of Saint Helena island, spreading across upland plateaus and gentle slopes. The district includes scattered farmsteads, cultivated land, and open spaces with wide views of the coast and surrounding valleys.
The district was settled after 1659, when the East India Company began developing the uplands for grazing and farming. In the years following 1815, the area served as the residence for Napoleon, who lived here until his death.
Saint Matthew's Church serves as a meeting point for local residents, while families tend their gardens and fields scattered across the rolling uplands. The name Longwood refers to the long stretches of woodland that once covered the plateau and now survive in smaller patches.
The area sits in the cooler uplands of the island, where mist and wind are common. Visitors should bring warm clothing and watch for slippery paths after rainfall.
The Deadwood Plain uplands hold several wind turbines that generate part of the island's electricity and can be seen from a distance. Near Saint Matthew's Church, an observatory stood in the 17th century to observe the southern sky.
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