2019 Edition

Background

Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.

Area

Land

36 sq km

Total

36 sq km

Water

0 sq km

Area Comparative

about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

32 km

Elevation

Highest Point

Mount Bates 319 m

Lowest Point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment Current Issues

inadequate solid waste management; most freshwater obtained through rainwater catchment; preservation of unique ecosystem

Geographic Coordinates

29 02 S, 167 57 E

Geography Note

most of the 32 km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated

Irrigated Land

0 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

0 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

25% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

0% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

0% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

25% (2011 est.)

Forest

11.5% (2011 est.)

Other

63.5% (2011 est.)

Location

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia

Map References

Oceania

Maritime Claims

Exclusive Fishing Zone

200 nm

Territorial Sea

12 nm

Natural Hazards

tropical cyclones (especially May to July)

Natural Resources

fish

Population Distribution

population concentrated around the capital of Kingston

Terrain

volcanic island with mostly rolling plains

Ethnic Groups

Australian 22.8%, English 22.4%, Pitcairn 20%, Scottish 6%, Irish 5.2% (2011 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Total

NA (2018)

Languages

English (official) 44.9%, Norfolk (also known as Norfuk or Norf'k, which is a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian) 40.3%, Fijian 1.8%, other 6.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2016 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Total Population

NA (2017 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Norfolk Islander(s)

Noun

Norfolk Islander(s)

Population

1,748 (2016 est.)

Population Growth Rate

0.01% (2014 est.)

Religions

Protestant 46.8% (Anglican 33.6%, Uniting Church in Australia 12.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.2%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, other Christian 2.9%, other 1.4%, none 26.7%, unspecified 9.5% (2016 est.)

Administrative Divisions

none (territory of Australia)

Capital

Geographic Coordinates

29 03 S, 167 58 E

Name

Kingston

Time Difference

UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see Australia

Constitution

Amendments

amended many times, last in 2015 (2017)

History

previous 1913, 1957; latest effective 7 August 1979

Country Name

Conventional Long Form

Territory of Norfolk Island

Conventional Short Form

Norfolk Island

Etymology

named by British explorer Captain James COOK after Mary HOWARD, Duchess of Norfolk, in 1774

Dependency Status

self-governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts, and Sport

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

none (territory of Australia)

Executive Branch

Cabinet

Executive Council consists of 4 Legislative Assembly members

Chief Of State

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sir Peter COSGROVE (since 28 March 2014)

Elections Appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia

Head Of Government

Administrator Eric HUTCHINSON (since 1 April 2017)

Flag Description

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; green stands for the rich vegetation on the island, and the pine tree - endemic to the island - is a symbol of Norfolk Island

Government Type

non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia; note - the Norfolk Island Regional Council, which began operations 1 July 2016, is responsible for planning and managing a variety of public services, including those funded by the Government of Australia

Independence

none (territory of Australia)

International Organization Participation

UPU

Judicial Branch

Highest Courts

Supreme Court of Norfolk Island (consists of the chief justice and several justices); note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island are heard by the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia

Judge Selection And Term Of Office

justices appointed by the governor general of Australia from among justices of the Federal Court of Australia; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70

Subordinate Courts

Petty Court of Sessions; specialized courts, including a Coroner's Court and the Employment Tribunal

Legal System

English common law and the laws of Australia

Legislative Branch

Description

unicameral Norfolk Island Regional Council (5 seats; councillors directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); mayor elected annually by the councillors

Election Results

seats by party - independent 5; composition - men 4, women 1, percent of women 20%

Elections

elections last held 28 May 2016 (next to be held in 2020)

National Anthem

Lyrics Music

New Testament/John Prindle SCOTT

Name

Come Ye Blessed

National Holiday

Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856)

National Symbol S

Norfolk Island pine

Political Parties And Leaders

Norfolk Island Labor Party [Mike KELLY] Norfolk Liberals [John BROWN]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry

Budget

Expenditures

4.8 million (FY99/00)

Revenues

4.6 million (FY99/00)

Debt External

NA

Economy Overview

Norfolk Island is suffering from a severe economic downturn. Tourism, the primary economic activity, is the main driver of economic growth. The agricultural sector has become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.

Exchange Rates

2013

1.1094

2014

1.3291

2015

1.3291

2016

1.3291

2017

1.311

Currency

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -

Exports

NA

Exports Commodities

postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados

Fiscal Year

1 July - 30 June

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

NA

Imports

$NA

Industries

tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete

Labor Force

978 (2006)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

6%

Industry

14%

Services

80% (2006 est.)

Broadcast Media

1 local radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available via satellite (2009)

Internet Country Code

.nf

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

34.6% (July 2016 est.)

Total

765

Telephone System

Domestic

free local calls

General Assessment

adequate

International

country code - 672; submarine cable links with Australia and New Zealand; satellite earth station - 1

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

1 (2017)

Total

1 (2017)

Ports And Terminals

Kingston

Roadways

Paved

53 km (2008)

Total

80 km (2008)

Unpaved

27 km (2008)

Military Note

defense is the responsibility of Australia

Disputes International

none