1995 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1995 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
total area: 34.6 sq km land area: 34.6 sq km comparative area: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline
32 km
Environment
current issues: NA natural hazards: typhoons (especially May to July) international agreements: NA
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 0% other: 75%
Location
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Natural resources
fish
Terrain
volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Birth rate
NA
Death rate
NA
Ethnic divisions
descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander
Infant mortality rate
NA
Labor force
NA
Languages
English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian
Life expectancy at birth
NA
Nationality
noun: Norfolk Islander(s) adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)
Net migration rate
NA
Population
2,756 (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate
1.69% (1995 est.)
Religions
Anglican 39%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Australia 16.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.4%, none 9.2%, unknown 16.9%, other 2.4% (1986)
Total fertility rate
NA
Government
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Capital
Kingston (administrative center); Burnt Pine (commercial center)
Constitution
Norfolk Island Act of 1979
Digraph
NF
Diplomatic representation in US
none (territory of Australia)
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Administrator Alan Gardner KERR (since NA April 1992), who is appointed by the Governor General of Australia head of government: Assembly President David Ernest BUFFETT (since NA May 1992) cabinet: Executive Council
Flag
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
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
Legal system
wide legislative and executive responsibility under the Norfolk Island Act of 1979; Supreme Court
Legislative Assembly
elections last held 20 May 1992 (next to be held NA May 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) independents 9
Legislative branch
unicameral
Member of
none
Names
conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island conventional short form: Norfolk Island
National holiday
Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856)
Political parties and leaders
NA
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Type
territory of Australia
US diplomatic representation
none (territory of Australia)
Economy
Agriculture
Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit, cattle, poultry
Budget
revenues: $NA expenditures: $4.2 million, including capital expenditures of $400,000 (1989 est.)
Currency
1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Economic aid
none
Electricity
capacity: 7,000 kW production: 8 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,160 kWh (1990)
Exchange rates
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3058 (January 1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990)
Exports
$1.7 million (f.o.b., FY85/86) commodities: postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados partners: Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe
External debt
$NA
Fiscal year
1 July - 30 June
Imports
$15.6 million (c.i.f., FY85/86) commodities: NA partners: Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe
Industrial production
growth rate NA%
Industries
tourism
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
NA%
National product
GDP $NA
National product per capita
$NA
National product real growth rate
NA%
Overview
The primary economic activity is tourism, which has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The number of visitors has increased steadily over the years and reached 29,000 in FY88/89. Revenues from tourism have given the island a favorable balance of trade and helped the agricultural sector to become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.
Unemployment rate
NA%
Communications
Radio
broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 radios: 1,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system
987 telephones (1983) local: NA intercity: NA international: radio link service with Sydney
Television
broadcast stations: 0 televisions: NA
Transportation
Airports
total: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
Highways
total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: earth, coral 27 km
Merchant marine
none
Ports
none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade
Railroads
0 km
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of Australia ________________________________________________________________________ NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS (commonwealth in political union with the US)