Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
NAIndependence none (overseas territory of the UK)
Pitcairn Islands as the 1999 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 94 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about | one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand
17 fieldsLocation
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand
Natural resources
miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been discovered offshore
Environment--current issues
deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement)
People
13 fieldsGovernment
NA; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Robert John ALSTON (since NA August 1994); Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since NA)
20 fieldsCountry name
- conventional long form:
- Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
- conventional short form:
- Pitcairn Islands
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Robert John ALSTON (since NA August 1994);
- Commissioner (nonresident) G. D. HARRAWAY (since NA; is the liaison person between the governor and the Island Council)
- head of government:
- Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since NA)
- cabinet:
- NA
- elections:
- the monarch is hereditary;
- high commissioner and commissioner appointed by the monarch;
- island magistrate elected by popular vote for a three-year term;
- last known election held NA December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1996)
- election results:
- Jay WARREN reelected island magistrate; percent of vote--NA
Legislative branch
unicameral Island Council (10 seats--6 elected by popular vote, 1 appointed by the 6 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor, and 1 seat for the Island Secretary; members serve one-year terms)
- elections:
- take place each December; last held NA December 1998 (next to be held NA December 1999)
- election results:
- percent of vote--NA; seats--all independents
Judicial branch
Island Court, island magistrate presides over the court and is elected every three years
Flag description
- 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.
31 fieldsEconomy--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.
Labor force--by occupation
- no business community in the usual sense;
- some public works;
- subsistence farming and fishing
Exchange rates
New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1--1.8560 (January 1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994)
Communications
6 fieldsTransportation
5 fieldsNetworkskm
Military
1 fieldTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Pitcairn Islands.” The World Factbook 1999. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/pitcairn-islands/1999.