Pitcairn Islands

Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands

NAIndependence none (overseas territory of the UK)

Pitcairn Islands as the 2000 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 94 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

Position25 04 S, 130 06 W

Area47 sq km

LocationOceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand

2000

Every edition of Pitcairn Islands

Populationas each edition published it

54 people July 2000 est. · 56 in 1990

Population growth% a year

-2.06% 2000 est. · 0% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settled in 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned the population from a peak of 233 in 1937 to about 50 today.

Geography

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand

16 fields

Area

47sq km

land: 47 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmabout 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

51km

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

Highest point

347m

Pawala Valley Ridgelowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Location

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates

25 04 S, 130 06 W

Map references

Oceania

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 note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been discovered offshore

Land use

arable land:: NA%
permanent crops:: NA%
permanent pastures:: NA%
forests and woodland:: NA%
other:: NA%

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Natural hazards

typhoons (especially November to March)

Environment - current issues

deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement)

People

13 fields

Population

(July 2000 est.)growth rate: -2.06% (2000 est.)

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

NA years

male:: NA years
female:: NA years

Total fertility rate

NA children born/woman

Nationality

noun:: Pitcairn Islander(s)
adjective:: Pitcairn Islander

Ethnic groups

descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives

Religions

Seventh-Day Adventist 100%

Languages

English (official), Pitcairnese, Tahitian, 18th century English dialect

Government

NA; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Martin WILLIAMS (since NA May 1998); Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since NA)

19 fields

Country name

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

Data code

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Government type

Capital

Adamstown

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday

Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June)

Constitution

Local Government Ordinance of 1964

Legal system

local island by-laws

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal with three years residency

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 Martin WILLIAMS (since NA May 1998);
Commissioner (nonresident) Leon SALT (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 was 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 1999 (next to be held NA December 2000)
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

Political parties and leaders

none

International organization participation

SPC

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

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 of this tiny economy exist on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps.

31 fields

Labor force

12able-bodied men

(1997)

Budget

Revenues

$729,884Expenditures

$878,119,

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95 est.)

Economy - overview

The inhabitants of this tiny economy exist on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. 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.