Norfolk Island

Territory of Norfolk Island

non-self-governing overseas territory of AustraliaIndependence none (territory of Australia)

Norfolk Island as the 2024 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 65 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, UTC+11

Position29 02 S, 167 57 E

Area36 sq km

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

Populationas each edition published it

1,748 people 2016 est. · 2,533 in 1990

Population growth% a year

0.01% 2014 est. · 1.69% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Polynesians lived on Norfolk Island between 1200 and 1500, but the remote island was uninhabited by the time British explorer James COOK landed on the island in 1774. Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned.

In 1856, almost 200 Pitcairn Islanders -- descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions -- were relocated to Norfolk Island because of overcrowding on the Pitcairn Islands. Some returned to the Pitcairn Islands over the next few years, but most settled permanently on Norfolk Island and recreated their previous land tenure and governance structures. Norfolk Island retained a great degree of local control until 1897, when it became a dependency of New South Wales.

During World War II, Norfolk Island was an airbase and an important refueling stop in the South Pacific. In 1976, an Australian judge recommended Norfolk Island be incorporated fully into Australia, which Norfolk Islanders rejected. After an appeal to the UN, Australia granted limited self-government to Norfolk Island in 1979.

With growing financial troubles during the 2000s, Australia abolished the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly in 2015, reduced Norfolk Island’s autonomy in 2016, and suspended the local council in 2020. Most services are provided by a mix of the Australian Capital Territory and the states of New South Wales and Queensland. These moves were unpopular on Norfolk Island, which has sought to have its self-government restored and as of 2024, the Australian Government was working with Norfolk Island to establish a new local governing body.

Geography

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

17 fields

Land useshare of 36 sq km

permanent crops 0% (2018 est.)permanent pasture 25% (2018 est.)forest 11.5% (2018 est.)other 63.5% (2018 est.)agricultural land 25% (2018 est.) in all · arable land 0% (2018 est.) in all · irrigated 0 sq km (2022)

Area

36sq km

land: 36 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmabout 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

32km

territorial sea: 12 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Highest point

319m

Mount Bateslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Land boundaries

0km

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 island with mostly rolling plains

Natural resources

fish

Population distribution

population concentrated around the capital of Kingston

Natural hazards

tropical cyclones (especially May to July)

Geography - note

most of the 32 km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated

People and Society

7 fields

Population

1,748

(2016 est.)growth rate: 0.01% (2014 est.)

Religions(2016 est.)

Protestant 46.8% (Anglican 29.2%, Uniting Church in Australia 9.8%, Presbyterian 2.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.7%, other 2.2%)Roman Catholic 12.6%other Christian 2.9%other 1.4%none 26.7%unspecified 9.5% (2016 est.)

Nationality

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

Ethnic groups

Australian 22.8%, English 22.4%, Pitcairn Islander 20%, Scottish 6%, Irish 5.2% (2011 est.)

note: respondents were able to identify up to two ancestries; percentages represent a proportion of all responses from people in Norfolk Island, including those who did not identify an ancestry; only top responses are shown

Languages

English (official) 44.9%, Norfolk (official, a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian) 40.3%, Fijian 1.8%, other 6.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2016 est.) note: data represent language spoken at home

Population distribution

population concentrated around the capital of Kingston

Environment

3 fields

Land use(2018 est.)

permanent crops 0% (2018 est.)permanent pasture 25% (2018 est.)forest 11.5% (2018 est.)other 63.5% (2018 est.)agricultural land 25% (2018 est.) in all · arable land 0% (2018 est.) in all

Environment - current issues

inadequate solid waste management;
most freshwater obtained through rainwater catchment;
preservation of unique ecosystem

Climate

subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation

Government

Non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia; King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); Administrator Eric HUTCHINSON (since 1 April 2017)

21 fields

Norfolk Island Regional Council, 5 seats, elected 28 May 2016one dot, one seat

independent 5

Composition: men 4, women 1, percentage women 20%

Country name

conventional long form:: Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form:: Norfolk Island
etymology:: named by British explorer Captain James COOK after Mary HOWARD, Duchess of Norfolk, in 1774

Government type

non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia;
note - the Norfolk Island Regional Council, which began operations 1 July 2016, is responsible for planning and managing a variety of public services, including those funded by the Government of Australia

Dependency status

self-governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development

Capital

name:: Kingston
geographic coordinates:: 29 03 S, 167 58 E
time difference:: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April
etymology:: the name is a blending of the words "king's" and "town"; the British king at the time of the town's settlement in the late 18th century was GEORGE III

Administrative divisions

none (territory of Australia)

Independence

none (territory of Australia)

National holiday

Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856)

Legal system

English common law and the laws of Australia

Constitution

history:: previous 1913, 1957; latest effective 7 August 1979
amendments:: amended many times, last in 2020

Citizenship

see Australia

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General David HURLEY (since 1 July 2019)
head of government:: Administrator Eric HUTCHINSON (since 1 April 2017)
cabinet:: Executive Council consists of 4 Legislative Assembly members
elections/appointments:: the monarchy is hereditary;
governor general appointed by the monarch;
administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia

Legislative branch

description:: unicameral Norfolk Island Regional Council (5 seats; councillors directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms);
mayor elected annually by the councillors
elections:: last held on 28 May 2016 (next originally scheduled for 13 March 2021 but was postponed)
election results:: seats by party - independent 5; composition - men 4, women 1, percentage women 20%

Judicial branch

highest court(s):: Supreme Court of Norfolk Island (consists of the chief justice and several justices);
note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island are heard by the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia
judge selection and term of office:: justices appointed by the governor general of Australia from among justices of the Federal Court of Australia;
justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts:: Petty Court of Sessions; specialized courts, including a Coroner's Court and the Employment Tribunal

Political parties

Norfolk Island Labor Party; Norfolk Liberals

International organization participation

UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: 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;
green stands for the rich vegetation on the island, and the pine tree - endemic to the island - is a symbol of Norfolk Island

note: somewhat reminiscent of the flag of Canada with its use of only two colors and depiction of a prominent local floral symbol in the central white band; also resembles the green and white triband of Nigeria

National symbol(s)

Norfolk Island pine

National anthem

name:: "Come Ye Blessed"
lyrics/music:: New Testament/John Prindle SCOTT

note: the local anthem, whose lyrics consist of the words from Matthew 25:34-36, 40, is also known as "The Pitcairn Anthem;" the island does not recognize "Advance Australia Fair" (which other Australian territories use); instead "God Save the King" is official (see United Kingdom)

Economy

8 fields

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

Australia

34%

Philippines

19%

17%

16%

India

14%

Belgium

14%

13%

Malaysia

10%

Singapore

Fiji

Brazil

ExportsImports(2022) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports · (2022) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Economic overview

high-income Australian territorial economy;
key tourism and re-exportation industries;
small labor force and declining participation creating more part-time jobs;
former tax haven;
increasing medical cannabis exporter;
little transportation infrastructure

Agricultural products

Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry

Industries

tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete

Exports - commodities

pine seeds, lumber, cars and vehicle parts, soybeans, lactose syrup, cleaning products, scrap aluminum (2021)

Imports - commodities

clothing and apparel, chemical analysis instruments, refined petroleum, cars, kitchen machinery (2019)

Exchange rates

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.505 (2023 est.) · 1.442 (2022 est.) · 1.331 (2021 est.) · 1.453 (2020 est.) · 1.439 (2019 est.)

Communications

4 fields

Internet users

806

(2021 est.) · country code .nf

Telecommunication systems

general assessment:: the current infrastructure consists of fixed line telephone utilizing copper twisted pair cable and optic fiber, two Satellite Earth Station, GSM Mobile switch with five remote base stations and 2 micro cells, central public exchange which switches international as well as national calls, ADSL Broadband internet connection (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line), and an ISP (Internet Service Provider); 3G/4G telecommunications network went live on Tuesday 12 January, 2021 (2021)
domestic:: free local calls
international:: country code - 672;
submarine cable links with Australia and New Zealand;
satellite earth station - 1