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 area total: 47 km²
Land: 47 km²

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 51 km

Maritime claims
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%
Forest and woodland: NA%
Other: NA%

Irrigated land: NA km²

Natural hazards: subject to typhoons (especially November to March)

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Population: 71 (July 1994 est.)
Growth rate: 2.93% (1994 est.)

Nationality: noun:Pitcairn Islander(s)

Ethnic groups: descendants of the Bounty mutineers

Languages: English (official), Tahitian/English dialect

Religions: Seventh-Day Adventist 100%

Population growth rate: 2.93% (1994 est.)

Birth rate: NA

Death rate: NA

Net migration rate: NA

Environment
Current issues: NA
International agreements: NA

Infant mortality rate: NA

Life expectancy at birth: NA

Total fertility rate: NA

Literacy
Total population: NA%
Male: NA%
Female: NA%

Country name
Conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno 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 (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
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (non-resident) of the Pitcairn Islands David Joseph MOSS (since NA September 1990); Commissioner (non-resident) G.D. HARRAWAY (since NA; is the liason person between the governor and the Island Council)
Head of government: Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since NA)

Legislative branch: unicameral
Island Council: elections last held NA (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total, 5 elected) number of seats by party NA

Judicial branch: Island Court

International organization participation: SPC

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, sugar cane, 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.

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: 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:$430,000

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

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

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

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.7771 (January 1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989)

Electricity
Capacity: 110 kW
Production: 300,000 kWh
Consumption per capita: 5,360 kWh (1990)

Airports: none

Disputes international: none