1996 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1996 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
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
Location
25 04 S, 130 06 W -- Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand Flag ----
Geography
Area
- comparative area
- about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
- land area
- 47 sq km
- total area
- 47 sq km
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)
- international agreements
- NA
- natural hazards
- typhoons (especially November to March)
Geographic coordinates
25 04 S, 130 06 W
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- arable land
- NA%
- forest and woodland
- NA%
- meadows and pastures
- NA%
- other
- NA%
- permanent crops
- 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 economic zone
- 200 nm
- 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
- highest point
- Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m
- lowest point
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
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
Languages
English (official), Tahitian/English dialect
Life expectancy at birth
- female
- NA years
- male
- NA years
- total population
- NA years
Nationality
- adjective
- Pitcairn Islander
- noun
- Pitcairn Islander(s)
Net migration rate
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Population
56 (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate
0% (1996 est.)
Religions
Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Sex ratio
- all ages
- NA male(s)/female
- at birth
- NA male(s)/female
- under 15 years
- NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
Total fertility rate
NA children born/woman
Government
Administrative divisions
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Capital
Adamstown
Constitution
Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Data code
PC
Diplomatic representation in US
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Executive branch
- chief of state
- Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch, represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (non-resident) of the Pitcairn Islands Robert John ALSTON (since NA August 1994); 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); the island magistrate is elected every three years
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)
International organization participation
SPC
Island Council
elections take place each December; election last held NA December 1995 (next to be held NA December 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (11 total, 5 elected) all independents
Judicial branch
Island Court, island magistrate presides over the court and is elected every three years
Legal system
local island by-laws
Legislative branch
unicameral
Name of country
- 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 of government
dependent territory of the UK
US diplomatic representation
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Economy
Agriculture
wide variety of fruits and vegetables
Budget
- expenditures
- $583,000, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993/94 est.)
- revenues
- $588,000
Currency
1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Economic aid
- recipient
- ODA bilateral commitments (1992-93), $84,000
Economic overview
The inhabitants exist on fishing and subsistence farming. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships.
Electricity
- capacity
- 110 kW
- consumption per capita
- 5,360 kWh (1990)
- production
- 300,000 kWh
Exchange rates
New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138 (January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Exports
- $NA
- commodities
- fruits, vegetables, curios
- partners
- NA
External debt
$NA
Fiscal year
1 April - 31 March
GDP
purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP composition by sector
- agriculture
- NA%
- industry
- NA%
- services
- NA%
GDP per capita
$NA
GDP real growth rate
NA%
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%
Labor force
- 14 able-bodied men (1993)
- by occupation
- no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing
Unemployment rate
NA%
Communications
Defense note
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Radio broadcast stations
AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios
NA
Telephone system
- party line telephone service on the island
- domestic
- NA
- international
- radiotelephone
Telephones
24
Televisions
NA Defense
Transportation
Airports
none
Highways
- paved
- 0 km
- total
- 6.4 km
- unpaved
- 6.4 km
Merchant marine
none
Ports
Bounty Bay
Railways
0 km