Background: 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.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 32 km

Maritime claims
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate: subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain: volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0%; permanent crops: 0%; meadows and pastures 25%; forest and woodland 0%; other 75%

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia

Population: 2,576 (July 1991), growth rate NEGL% (1991)

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 39%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Australia 16.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.4%, none 9.2%, unknown 16.9%, other 2.4% (1986)

Birth rate: NA births/1000 population (1991)

Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population (1991)

Net migration rate: NA migrants/1000 population (1991)

Environment
Current issues: subject to typhoons (especially May to July)

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births (1991)

Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1991)

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1991)

Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%)

Country 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)

Independence: 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

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Executive branch: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Administrator H. B. MACDONALD (since NA 1989), who is appointed by the Governor General of Australia; Head of Government--Assembly President and Chief Minister John Terence BROWN (since NA)

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

International organization participation: none

Diplomatic representation
In 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 Norfolk Island Norfolk IslandNorfolk Island

Economy 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 29,000 in FY89. 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.

Agriculture 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%

Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $4.2 million, including capital expenditures of $400,000 (FY89)

Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June

Exports: $1.7 million (f.o.b., FY86)
Commodities: postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia Palm, small quantities of avocados
Partners: Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe

Imports: $15.6 million (c.i.f., FY86)
Commodities: NA
Partners: Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe

Debt external: NA

Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.2834 (January 1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986), 1.4269 (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: 7,000 kW capacity; 8 million kWh produced, 3,160 kWh per capita (1990)

Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m (Australian owned)