Norfolk Island

Territory of Norfolk Island

NAIndependence none (territory of Australia)

Norfolk Island as the 2000 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 96 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalKingston

Position29 02 S, 167 57 E

Area34.6 sq km

LocationOceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia

Populationas each edition published it

1,892 people July 2000 est. · 2,533 in 1990

Population growth% a year

-0.68% 2000 est. · 1.69% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.

Geography

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia

16 fields

Land useshare of 34.6 sq km

permanent crops 0%permanent pastures 25%forests and woodland 0%other 75% (1993 est.)arable land 0% in all

Area

34.6sq km

land: 34.6 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmabout 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

32km

land boundaries: 0 kmexclusive fishing zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 3 nm

Highest point

319m

Mount Bateslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Location

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia

Geographic coordinates

29 02 S, 167 57 E

Map references

Oceania

Climate

subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain

volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains

Natural resources

fish

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Natural hazards

typhoons (especially May to July)

Environment - current issues

People

13 fields

Population

1,892

(July 2000 est.)growth rate: -0.68% (2000 est.)

Religions(1986)

Anglican 39%Roman Catholic 11.7%Uniting Church in Australia 16.4%Seventh-Day Adventist 4.4%none 9.2%unknown 16.9%other 2.4% (1986)

Age structure

0-14 years:: NA
15-64 years:: NA
65 years and over:: NA

Birth rate

NA births/1,000 population

Death rate

NA deaths/1,000 population

Net migration rate

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Infant mortality rate

NA deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population:: NA years
male:: NA years
female:: NA years

Total fertility rate

NA children born/woman

Nationality

noun:: Norfolk Islander(s)
adjective:: Norfolk Islander(s)

Ethnic groups

descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander, Polynesians

Languages

English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian

Government

NA; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Assembly President and Chief Minister George Charles SMITH (since 30 April 1997)

19 fields

Legislative Assembly, 9 seats, elected 30 April 1997one dot, one seat

independents 9

Country name

conventional long form:: Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form:: Norfolk Island

Data code

Dependency status

territory of Australia; Canberra administers Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department of Environment, Sport and Territories

Government type

Capital

Kingston

Administrative divisions

none (territory of Australia)

Independence

none (territory of Australia)

National holiday

Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856)

Constitution

Norfolk Island Act of 1979

Legal system

based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or Norfolk Island law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and Australia are represented by Administrator A. J. MESSNER (since 4 August 1997)
head of government:: Assembly President and Chief Minister George Charles SMITH (since 30 April 1997)
cabinet:: Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members of the Legislative Assembly;
the council devises government policy and acts as an advisor to the Administrator
elections:: the monarch is hereditary;
administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia;
chief minister elected by the Legislative Assembly for a term of not more than three years;
election last held 30 April 1997 (next to be held by May 2000)
election results:: George Charles SMITH elected chief minister; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - NA

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be given to any one candidate; members serve three-year terms)

elections:: last held 30 April 1997 (next to be held by May 2000)
election results:: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions

Political parties and leaders

none

International organization participation

none

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of Australia)

Flag description

three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band

Economy

Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over the years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands.

31 fields

Labor force

1,395

(1991 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$4.6 millionExpenditures

$4.8 million