Background: 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.

Map reference: Oceania

Area
Total: 47 km²
Land: 47 km²

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 51 km
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate: tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March)

Terrain: rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs

Natural resources: miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish

Land use
Arable land: NA%
Permanent crops: NA%
Meadows and pastures: NA%
Other: NA%

Irrigated land: NA km²

Population: 52 (July 1993 est.)
Growth rate: 0% (1993 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Pitcairn Islander(s)
Adjective: Pitcairn Islander

Ethnic groups: descendants of the Bounty mutineers

Languages: English (official), Tahitian/English dialect
Total population: NA%
Male: NA%
Female: NA%

Religions: Seventh-Day Adventist 100%

Population growth rate: 0% (1993 est.)

Birth rate: NA births/1000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1000 population

Environment
Current issues: subject to typhoons (especially November to March)

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: NA years
Male: NA years
Female: NA years

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

Country name
Conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
Conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands

Government type: dependent territory of the UK

Capital: Adamstown

Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen, 10 June (1989) (second Saturday in June)

Constitution: Local Government Ordinance of 1964

Legal system: local island by-laws

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal with three years residency

Executive branch: British monarch, governor, island magistrate

Legislative branch: unicameral Island Council

Judicial branch: Island Court

International organization participation: SPC

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (dependent territory of the UK)
From the us: none (dependent territory 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

Economy 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

Real gdp growth rate: NA%

Real gdp per capita: $NA

Agriculture products: based on subsistence fishing and farming; wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown; must import grain products

Industries: postage stamp sales, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate: growth rate NA%

Labor force: NA
By occupation: no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues $430,440; expenditures $429,983, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY87 est.)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Exports: $NA
Commodoties: fruits, vegetables, curios
Partners: NA

Imports: $NA
Commodoties: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs
Partners: NA

Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.9486 (January 1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988)

Electricity
Production: 110 kW capacity; 0.30 million kWh produced, 5,360 kWh per capita (1990)

Airports: none

Disputes international: none