Statistical information Norfolk Island 1989
Norfolk Island in the World
top of pageBackground: 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.
top of pageLocationGeographic coordinatesMap referenceAreaLand boundaries: none
Coastline: 32 km
Maritime claimsContiguous zone: 12 nm
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains
ElevationNatural resources: fish
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 25% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 75% other
Irrigated landMajor riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazardsGeographyNote: defense is the responsibility of Australia
top of pagePopulation: 2,490 (July 1989), growth rate 1.7% (1989)
Nationality: noun - Norfolk Islander(s; adjective - Norfolk Islander(s)
Ethnic groups: descendants of the Bounty mutiny; more recently, Australian and New Zealand settlers
Languages: English (official) and Norfolk - a mixture of 18th Century English and ancient Tahitian
Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Uniting Church in Australia, and Seventh-Day Adventist
Demographic profileAge structureDependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rateBirth rate: NA births/1000 population (1989)
Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population (1989)
Net migration rate: NA migrants/1000 population (1989)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: subject to typhoons (especially May to July)
Air pollutantsSex ratioMothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births (1989)
Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1989)
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1989)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracy: NA%, but probably high
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry name: conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island
Government type: territory of Australia
Capital: Kingston (administrative center), Burnt Pine (commercial center)
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Dependent areasIndependence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856)
Constitution: Norfolk Island Act of 1957
Legal system: wide legislative and executive responsibility under the Norfolk Island Act of 1979; Supreme Court
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: proportional representation; all persons born on the island are Australian citizens
Executive branch: Chief of State - Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Administrator Commodore John A. MATTHEW (since NA 19 ), who is appointed by the Australian Governor General Head of Government - Assembly President and Chief Minister John Terence BROWN (since NA 19 )
Legislative branch: nine-member elected Legislative Assembly; chief executive is Australian administrator named by governor general
Judicial branchPolitical parties and leadersInternational organization participationDiplomatic representationIn the us: none (territory of Australia)
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
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy 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 almost 30,000 in 1986. 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.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rateReal gdp per capita pppGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture products: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit, cattle, poultry
Industries: tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudget: revenues $3.4 million; expenditures $3.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY88)
Public debtTaxes and other revenuesRevenueFiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Current account balanceInflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $1.8 million (f.o.b., FY85)
Commodities: postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia Palm, small quantities of avocados
Partners: Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe
Imports: $16.3 million (c.i.f., FY85)
Commodities: NA
Partners: Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: NA
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.1493 (January 1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986), 1.4269 (1985)
top of pageElectricity accessElectricity productionElectricity consumptionElectricity exportsElectricity importsElectricity installed generating capacityElectricity transmission distribution lossesElectricity generation sourcesPetroleumRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones fixed linesTelephones mobile cellularTelephone systemBroadcast mediaInternet country codeInternet usersBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresMilitary and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m (Australian owned)
Airports with paved runwaysAirports with unpaved runwaysHeliportsPipelinesRailwaysRoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marinePorts and terminalstop of pageDisputes internationalRefugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs