Statistical information Pitcairn Islands 1989
Pitcairn Islands in the World
top of pageBackground: Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settled in 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Outmigration primarily to New Zealand has thinned the population from a peak of 233 in 1937 to about 50 today.
top of pageLocationGeographic coordinatesMap referenceAreaLand boundaries: none
Coastline: 51 km
Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone:200 nm
Climate: tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March)
Terrain: rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
ElevationNatural resources: miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish
Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other
Irrigated landMajor riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazardsGeographyNote: defense is the responsibility of the UK
top of pagePopulation: 68 (July 1989), growth rate 0.0% (1989)
Nationality: noun - Pitcairn Islander(s; adjective - Pitcairn Islander
Ethnic groups: descendants of Bounty mutineers
Languages: English (official; also a Tahitian/English dialect
Religions: 100% 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 November to March)
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: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
Government type: colony of the UK
Capital: Adamstown
Administrative divisions: none (colony of the UK)
Dependent areasIndependence: none (colony of the UK)
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June), 10 June 1989
Constitution: Local Government Ordinance of 1964
Legal system: Island Court; provisions for a Supreme Court
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years old and three years residency
Executive branchLegislative branch: administered locally by Island Council consisting of four elected island officers, a secretary, and five nominated members
Judicial branchPolitical parties and leadersInternational organization participationDiplomatic representationIn the us: none (colony of the UK)
Flag 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
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy 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 come from the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships.
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: citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, taro, beans, pumpkins, coconuts, goats, poultry
Industries: postage stamp sales, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force: NA; no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing
Unemployment rate: NA%
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudget: revenues $430,440; expenditures $429,983, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY87 est.)
Public debtTaxes and other revenuesRevenueFiscal year: 1 April-31 March
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: $NA
Commodities: fruits, vegetables, curios
Partners: NA
Imports: $NA
Commodities: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs
Partners: NA
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $NA
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5985 (January 1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987), 1.9088 (1986), 2.0064 (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: none
Airports with paved runwaysAirports with unpaved runwaysHeliportsPipelinesRailwaysRoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marinePorts and terminalstop of pageDisputes internationalRefugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs