Pitcairn Islands

Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands

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

Pitcairn Islands as the 1993 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 72 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
Locationin the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Peru and New Zealand
1993

Every edition of Pitcairn Islands

Populationas each edition published it
52 people July 1993 est. · 56 in 1990
Population growth% a year
0% 1993 est. · 0% in 2025

Geography

In the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Peru and New Zealand

13 fields
Area
47km2
land area: 47 km2comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Coastline
51km
land boundaries: 0 kmexclusive fishing zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 3 nm

Location

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

Climate

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

Terrain

rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs

Natural resources

miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish

Land use

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

Environment

subject to typhoons (especially November to March)

People

14 fields
Population
52
(July 1993 est.)growth rate: 0% (1993 est.)

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:
Pitcairn Islander(s)
adjective:
Pitcairn Islander

Ethnic divisions

descendants of the Bounty mutineers

Religions

Seventh-Day Adventist 100%

Languages

English (official), Tahitian/English dialect

Literacy

total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%

Labor force

NA

by occupation:
  • no business community in the usual sense;
  • some public works;
  • subsistence farming and fishing

Government

Dependent territory of the UK

21 fields

Names

conventional long form:
Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form:
Pitcairn Islands

Type

dependent territory of the UK

Capital

Adamstown

Administrative divisions

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Independence

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Constitution

Local Government Ordinance of 1964

National holiday

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal with three years residency

Elections

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

Executive branch

British monarch, governor, island magistrate

Legislative branch

unicameral Island Council

Judicial branch

Island Court

Leaders

Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Governor and UK High Commissioner to New Zealand David Joseph MOSS (since NA 1990)
Head of Government:
Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since NA)

Diplomatic representation in US

none (dependent territory of the UK)

US diplomatic representation

none (dependent territory of the UK)

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.

18 fields

Overview

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.

Budget

revenues $430,440; expenditures $429,983, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY87 est.)

Exports

$NA

commodities:
fruits, vegetables, curios
partners:
NA

Imports

$NA

commodities:
fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs
partners:
NA

Industrial production

growth rate NA%

Electricity

110 kW capacity; 0.30 million kWh produced, 5,360 kWh per capita (1990)

Industries

postage stamp sales, handicrafts

Agriculture

  • based on subsistence fishing and farming;
  • wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown;
  • must import grain products

Currency

1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates

New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.9486 (January 1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

Communications

5 fields

Highways

6.4 km dirt roads

Ports

Bounty Bay

Telecommunications

  • 24 telephones;
  • party line telephone service on the island;
  • broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV;
  • diesel generator provides electricity

Defense Forces

1 field

Note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Central Intelligence Agency. “Pitcairn Islands.” The World Factbook 1993. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/pitcairn-islands/1993.

How to cite ← 1992 edition 1994 edition →