Jamestown is the island capital, administrative centre and sole port of entry for the Isle of St Helena. Whilst the last point is due to change in 2016 with the opening of the Airport at Prosperous Bay Plain, Jamestown will remain the most important settlement on the island for many years to come. When looking up the valley, the hill to the right is Ladder Hill, taking its name from Jacobs Ladder which climbs steeply straight up from Grand Parade, just back from the shore. At the top of the hill is the islands largest settlement, Half Tree Hollow, effectively a suburb of Jamestown, separated by the islands geography.
The town is the start point for both the A1 and A2. The A1 starts at the top of Market Street, doubling back up Ladder Hill to Half Tree Hollow, while the A2 starts in the town centre on Napoleon Street. Main Street and Market Street are technically numbered as the A4, but as no road numbers are signed anywhere on the island, the route up through town is described as part of the A1.
