1995 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1995 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
total area: 47 sq km land area: 47 sq km comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March)
Coastline
51 km
Environment
current issues: deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement) natural hazards: typhoons (especially November to March) international agreements: NA
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA%
Location
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Natural resources
miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish
Terrain
rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
People and Society
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
Ethnic divisions
descendants of the Bounty mutineers
Infant mortality rate
NA deaths/1,000 live births
Labor force
NA by occupation: no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing
Languages
English (official), Tahitian/English dialect
Life expectancy at birth
total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Nationality
noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander
Net migration rate
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Population
73 (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate
2.8% (1995 est.)
Religions
Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Total fertility rate
NA children born/woman
Government
Administrative divisions
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Capital
Adamstown
Constitution
Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Digraph
PC
Diplomatic representation in US
none (dependent territory of the UK)
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 Robert John ALSTON (since NA); Commissioner (non-resident) 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)
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
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Island Council
elections take place each December; last held NA December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1995); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (11 total, 5 elected) all independents
Judicial branch
Island Court
Legal system
local island by-laws
Legislative branch
unicameral
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)
Other political or pressure groups
NA
Political parties and leaders
none
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal with three years residency
Type
dependent territory of the UK
US diplomatic representation
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Economy
Agriculture
based on subsistence fishing and farming; wide variety of fruits and vegetables; must import grain products
Budget
revenues: $430,000 expenditures: $429,000, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987 est.)
Currency
1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Economic aid
recipient: ODA bilateral commitments (1992-93), $84,000
Electricity
capacity: 110 kW production: 300,000 kWh consumption per capita: 5,360 kWh (1990)
Exchange rates
New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5601 (January 1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990)
Exports
$NA commodities: fruits, vegetables, curios partners: NA
External debt
$NA
Fiscal year
1 April - 31 March
Imports
$NA commodities: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs partners: NA
Industrial production
growth rate NA%
Industries
postage stamps, handicrafts
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
NA%
National product
GDP $NA
National product per capita
$NA
National product real growth rate
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, 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.
Unemployment rate
NA%
Communications
Radio
broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 radios: NA
Telephone system
24 telephones; party line telephone service on the island local: NA intercity: NA international: NA
Television
broadcast stations: 0 televisions: NA
Transportation
Airports
none
Highways
total: 6.4 km unpaved: earth 6.4 km
Merchant marine
none
Ports
Bounty Bay
Railroads
0 km
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ POLAND