Pitcairn Islands

dependent territory of the UKIndependence none (dependent territory of the UK)

Pitcairn Islands as the 1990 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.

CapitalAdamstown

Area47 km2

1990

Every edition of Pitcairn Islands

Populationas each edition published it

56 people July 1990 · 50 in 2025

Population growth% a year

Not in this edition 0% in 1993

Geography

12 fields

Total area

47km2

land area: 47 km2Comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

51km

land boundaries: noneTerritorial sea: 3 nm

Climate

tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March)

Terrain

rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs

Land use

NA% arable land;
NA% permanent crops;
NA% meadows and pastures;
NA% forest and woodland;
NA% other

Environment

subject to typhoons (especially November to March)

Note

located in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between Peru and New Zealand

People

14 fields

Population

(July 1990), growth rate 0.0% (1990)

Nationality

noun--Pitcairn Islander(s); adjective--Pitcairn Islander

Language

English (official); also a Tahitian/English dialect

Labor force

NA;
no business community in the usual sense;
some public works;
subsistence farming and fishing

Government

Dependent territory of the UK

17 fields

Long-form name

Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands

National holiday

Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June), 10 June 1989

Executive branch

British monarch, governor, island magistrate

Judicial branch

Island Court Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Governor and UK High Commissioner to New Zealand Robin A. C. BYATT (since NA 1988);
Head of Government--Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island Council Brian YOUNG (since NA 1985)

Suffrage

universal at age 18 with three years residency Island Council--last held NA (next to be held NA);
results--percent of vote by party NA;
seats--(11 total, 5 elected) number of seats by party NA

Other political or pressure groups

Flag

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag;
the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor

Economy

The inhabitants exist on fishing and subsistence farming.

16 fields

The inhabitants exist on fishing and subsistence farming. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships.