1994 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1994 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Administrative divisions
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Affiliation
(dependent territory of the UK)
Agriculture
based on subsistence fishing and farming; wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown; must import grain products
Airports
none
Area
total area: 47 sq km land area: 47 sq km comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Birth rate
NA
Budget
revenues: $430,000 expenditures: $429,000, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987 est.)
Capital
Adamstown
Climate
tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March)
Coastline
51 km
Constitution
Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Currency
1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Death rate
NA
Digraph
PC
Diplomatic representation in US
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Economic aid
recipient: ODA bilateral commitments (1992-93), $84,000
Electricity
capacity: 110 kW production: 300,000 kWh consumption per capita: 5,360 kWh (1990)
Environment
current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to typhoons (especially November to March) international agreements: NA
Ethnic divisions
descendants of the Bounty mutineers
Exchange rates
New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.7771 (January 1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989)
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (non-resident) of the Pitcairn Islands David Joseph MOSS (since NA September 1990); Commissioner (non-resident) G.D. HARRAWAY (since NA; is the liason person between the governor and the Island Council) head of government: Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since NA)
Exports
$NA commodities: fruits, vegetables, curios partners: NA
External debt
$NA
Fiscal year
1 April - 31 March
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
Highways
total: 6.4 km unpaved: earth 6.4 km
Imports
$NA commodities: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs partners: NA
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Industrial production
growth rate NA%
Industries
postage stamp sales, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate
NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
NA%
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Island Council
elections 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
Judicial branch
Island Court
Labor force
NA by occupation: no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA%
Languages
English (official), Tahitian/English dialect
Legal system
local island by-laws
Legislative branch
unicameral
Life expectancy at birth
NA
Literacy
total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
Location
Oceania, Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Peru and New Zealand
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Member of
SPC
Names
conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands
National holiday
Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June)
National product
GDP $NA
National product per capita
$NA
National product real growth rate
NA%
Nationality
noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander
Natural resources
miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish
Net migration rate
NA
Note
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Other political or pressure groups
NA
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, sugar cane, 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.
Political parties and leaders
NA
Population
71 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate
2.93% (1994 est.)
Ports
Bounty Bay
Railroads
none
Religions
Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal with three years residency
Telecommunications
24 telephones; party line telephone service on the island; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; diesel generator provides electricity
Terrain
rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
Total fertility rate
NA
Type
dependent territory of the UK
Unemployment rate
NA%
US diplomatic representation
none (dependent territory of the UK)