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Pitcairn Islands

Updated: Wikipedia source

Pitcairn Islands

The Pitcairn Islands ( PIT-kairn; Pitkern: Pitkern Ailen), officially Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, are a group of four volcanic islands in the southern Pacific Ocean that form the sole British Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean. The four islands—Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno—are scattered across several hundred kilometres of ocean and have a combined land area of about 47 square kilometres (18 square miles). Henderson Island accounts for 86% of the land area, but only Pitcairn Island is inhabited. The inhabited islands nearest to the Pitcairn Islands are Mangareva (of French Polynesia), 688 km (428 miles) to the west, as well as Easter Island, 1,929 km (1199 miles) to the east. The Pitcairn Islanders are descended primarily from nine British HMS Bounty mutineers and twelve Tahitian women. In 2023, the territory had a permanent population of 35, making it the smallest territory in the world by number of permanent residents. Owing to the island's extreme isolation and small population, incidents of widespread sexual abuse went undetected until 1999, culminating in a high-profile sexual assault trial in 2004.

Infobox

Sovereign state
United Kingdom
Settlement
15 January 1790
British colony
30 November 1838
Capitaland largest settlement
Adamstown 25°04′S 130°06′W / 25 °S 130 °W / -25 ; -130
Official languages
Pitkern English
Ethnic groups
Pitcairn Islanders
Demonym(s)
Pitcairn Islanders Pitkern Pitcairnese
Government
Devolved locally governing dependency
• Monarch
Charles III
• Governor
Iona Thomas
• Administrator
Rachael Midlen
• Mayor
Shawn Christian
Legislature
Island Council
• Minister
Stephen Doughty
• Total
NZ$217,000
Highest elevation
347 m (1,138 ft)
• 2023 estimate
35 (195th)
• Density
0 /km2 (1 /sq mi) (not ranked)
GDP (PPP)
estimate
• Per capita
NZ$4,617
GDP (nominal)
2005 estimate
Currency
New Zealand dollar (NZ$) (NZD)
Time zone
UTC-08:00 ((GMT-8))
Driving side
Left
Calling code
Country code 64 of New Zealand
UK postcode
PCRN 1ZZ
ISO 3166 code
PN
Internet TLD
pn
Website
www

Tables

· Geography
Ducie Island
Ducie Island
Island or atoll
Ducie Island
Type
Atoll†
Land area (km2)
0
Total area (km2)
3
Pop. 2023
0
Coordinates
24°40′28″S 124°47′10″W / 24 °S 124 °W / -24 ; -124
Henderson Island
Henderson Island
Island or atoll
Henderson Island
Type
Uplifted coral island
Land area (km2)
37
Total area (km2)
37
Pop. 2023
0
Coordinates
24°22′01″S 128°18′57″W / 24 °S 128 °W / -24 ; -128
Oeno Island
Oeno Island
Island or atoll
Oeno Island
Type
Atoll†
Land area (km2)
0
Total area (km2)
16
Pop. 2023
0
Coordinates
23°55′40″S 130°44′30″W / 23 °S 130 °W / -23 ; -130
Pitcairn Island
Pitcairn Island
Island or atoll
Pitcairn Island
Type
Volcanic island
Land area (km2)
4
Total area (km2)
4
Pop. 2023
35
Coordinates
25°04′00″S 130°06′00″W / 25 °S 130 °W / -25 ; -130
Pitcairn Islands (all islands)
Pitcairn Islands (all islands)
Island or atoll
Pitcairn Islands (all islands)
Type
–
Land area (km2)
43
Total area (km2)
62
Pop. 2023
35
Coordinates
23°55′40″ to 25°04′00″S, 124°47′10″ to 130°44′30″W
Island or atoll
Type
Land area (km2)
Total area (km2)
Pop. 2023
Coordinates
Ducie Island
Atoll†
0
3
0
24°40′28″S 124°47′10″W / 24 °S 124 °W / -24 ; -124
Henderson Island
Uplifted coral island
37
37
0
24°22′01″S 128°18′57″W / 24 °S 128 °W / -24 ; -128
Oeno Island
Atoll†
0
16
0
23°55′40″S 130°44′30″W / 23 °S 130 °W / -23 ; -130
Pitcairn Island
Volcanic island
4
4
35
25°04′00″S 130°06′00″W / 25 °S 130 °W / -25 ; -130
Pitcairn Islands (all islands)
–
43
62
35
23°55′40″ to 25°04′00″S, 124°47′10″ to 130°44′30″W
Month
Month
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Month
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Jan
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Feb
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Mar
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Apr
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
May
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Jun
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Jul
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Aug
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Sep
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Oct
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Nov
Record high °C (°F)
Record high °C (°F)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Record high °C (°F)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
31 (88 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
32 (90 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
33 (91 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
30 (87 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
29 (84 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
31 (88 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
26 (80 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
26 (80 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
25 (77 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
27 (82 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
27 (81 )
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
25 (78 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
26 (79 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
26 (79 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
24 (76 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
22 (73 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
21 (71 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
20 (69 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
20 (69 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
21 (69 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
21 (71 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
22 (73 )
Daily mean °C (°F)
Daily mean °C (°F)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Daily mean °C (°F)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
23 (73 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
23 (74 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
23 (74 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
22 (72 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
20 (69 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
19 (67 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
18 (65 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
18 (65 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
18 (65 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
19 (67 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
20 (69 )
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
21 (69 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
21 (70 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
21 (70 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
20 (68 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
18 (66 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
17 (64 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
16 (62 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
16 (61 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
16 (61 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
17 (63 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
18 (65 )
Record low °C (°F)
Record low °C (°F)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Record low °C (°F)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
16 (62 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
18 (64 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
12 (55 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
15 (59 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
14 (57 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
11 (53 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
11 (52 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
11 (52 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
10 (50 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
10 (50 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
13 (55 )
Average precipitation mm (inches)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
96 (3 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
132 (5 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
107 (4 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
114 (4 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
111 (4 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
152 (6 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
139 (5 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
131 (5 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
134 (5 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
143 (5 )
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
120 (4 )
Source 1: NOAA
Source 1: NOAA
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Source 1: NOAA
Source 2: KNMI (precipitation)
Source 2: KNMI (precipitation)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Source 2: KNMI (precipitation)
Climate data for Pitcairn Island (1972–2004)
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Record high °C (°F)
31 (88 )
32 (90 )
33 (91 )
30 (87 )
29 (84 )
31 (88 )
26 (80 )
26 (80 )
25 (77 )
27 (82 )
27 (81 )
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
25 (78 )
26 (79 )
26 (79 )
24 (76 )
22 (73 )
21 (71 )
20 (69 )
20 (69 )
21 (69 )
21 (71 )
22 (73 )
Daily mean °C (°F)
23 (73 )
23 (74 )
23 (74 )
22 (72 )
20 (69 )
19 (67 )
18 (65 )
18 (65 )
18 (65 )
19 (67 )
20 (69 )
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
21 (69 )
21 (70 )
21 (70 )
20 (68 )
18 (66 )
17 (64 )
16 (62 )
16 (61 )
16 (61 )
17 (63 )
18 (65 )
Record low °C (°F)
16 (62 )
18 (64 )
12 (55 )
15 (59 )
14 (57 )
11 (53 )
11 (52 )
11 (52 )
10 (50 )
10 (50 )
13 (55 )
Average precipitation mm (inches)
96 (3 )
132 (5 )
107 (4 )
114 (4 )
111 (4 )
152 (6 )
139 (5 )
131 (5 )
134 (5 )
143 (5 )
120 (4 )
Source 1: NOAA
Source 2: KNMI (precipitation)
· Demographics › Historical population
1790
1790
Year
1790
Population
27
Year
1880
Population
112
Year
1970
Population
96
Year
1992
Population
54
Year
2002
Population
48
Year
2012
Population
48
1800
1800
Year
1800
Population
34
Year
1890
Population
136
Year
1975
Population
74
Year
1993
Population
57
Year
2003
Population
59
Year
2013
Population
56
1810
1810
Year
1810
Population
50
Year
1900
Population
136
Year
1980
Population
61
Year
1994
Population
54
Year
2004
Population
65
Year
2014
Population
56
1820
1820
Year
1820
Population
66
Year
1910
Population
140
Year
1985
Population
58
Year
1995
Population
55
Year
2005
Population
63
Year
2015
Population
50
1830
1830
Year
1830
Population
70
Year
1920
Population
163
Year
1986
Population
68
Year
1996
Population
43
Year
2006
Population
65
Year
2016
Population
49
1840
1840
Year
1840
Population
119
Year
1930
Population
190
Year
1987
Population
59
Year
1997
Population
40
Year
2007
Population
64
Year
2017
Population
50
1850
1850
Year
1850
Population
146
Year
1936
Population
250
Year
1988
Population
55
Year
1998
Population
66
Year
2008
Population
66
Year
2018
Population
50
1856
1856
Year
1856
Population
193/0
Year
1940
Population
163
Year
1989
Population
55
Year
1999
Population
46
Year
2009
Population
67
Year
2019
Population
50
1859
1859
Year
1859
Population
16
Year
1950
Population
161
Year
1990
Population
59
Year
2000
Population
51
Year
2010
Population
64
Year
2020
Population
50
1870
1870
Year
1870
Population
70
Year
1960
Population
126
Year
1991
Population
66
Year
2001
Population
44
Year
2011
Population
67
Year
2021
Population
47
Year
Population
Year
Population
Year
Population
Year
Population
Year
Population
Year
Population
1790
27
1880
112
1970
96
1992
54
2002
48
2012
48
1800
34
1890
136
1975
74
1993
57
2003
59
2013
56
1810
50
1900
136
1980
61
1994
54
2004
65
2014
56
1820
66
1910
140
1985
58
1995
55
2005
63
2015
50
1830
70
1920
163
1986
68
1996
43
2006
65
2016
49
1840
119
1930
190
1987
59
1997
40
2007
64
2017
50
1850
146
1936
250
1988
55
1998
66
2008
66
2018
50
1856
193/0
1940
163
1989
55
1999
46
2009
67
2019
50
1859
16
1950
161
1990
59
2000
51
2010
64
2020
50
1870
70
1960
126
1991
66
2001
44
2011
67
2021
47
Total
Total
Age group
Total
Total
45
%
100
0–4
0–4
Age group
0–4
Total
2
%
4
5–9
5–9
Age group
5–9
Total
0
%
0
10–14
10–14
Age group
10–14
Total
3
%
6
15–19
15–19
Age group
15–19
Total
2
%
4
20–24
20–24
Age group
20–24
Total
2
%
4
25–29
25–29
Age group
25–29
Total
1
%
2
30–34
30–34
Age group
30–34
Total
0
%
0
35–39
35–39
Age group
35–39
Total
3
%
6
40–44
40–44
Age group
40–44
Total
1
%
2
45–49
45–49
Age group
45–49
Total
4
%
8
50–54
50–54
Age group
50–54
Total
1
%
2
55–59
55–59
Age group
55–59
Total
7
%
15
60–64
60–64
Age group
60–64
Total
5
%
11
65-69
65-69
Age group
65-69
Total
7
%
15
70-74
70-74
Age group
70-74
Total
2
%
4
75-79
75-79
Age group
75-79
Total
0
%
0
80-84
80-84
Age group
80-84
Total
1
%
2
85-89
85-89
Age group
85-89
Total
0
%
0
90-94
90-94
Age group
90-94
Total
1
%
2
95-99
95-99
Age group
95-99
Total
0
%
0
100+
100+
Age group
100+
Total
0
%
0
Age group
Age group
Age group
Age group
Total
Total
%
Per cent
0–14
0–14
Age group
0–14
Total
5
%
11
15–64
15–64
Age group
15–64
Total
26
%
57
65+
65+
Age group
65+
Total
11
%
24
unknown
unknown
Age group
unknown
Total
3
%
6
Age group
Total
%
Total
45
100
0–4
2
4
5–9
0
0
10–14
3
6
15–19
2
4
20–24
2
4
25–29
1
2
30–34
0
0
35–39
3
6
40–44
1
2
45–49
4
8
50–54
1
2
55–59
7
15
60–64
5
11
65-69
7
15
70-74
2
4
75-79
0
0
80-84
1
2
85-89
0
0
90-94
1
2
95-99
0
0
100+
0
0
Age group
Total
Per cent
0–14
5
11
15–64
26
57
65+
11
24
unknown
3
6

References

  1. The Pitcairn Islands dollar is also official legal tender, although it does not circulate as widely.
  2. two men and nine women from the Bounty remain
  3. last person from the Bounty, Teraura dies
  4. Migration to Norfolk Island in 1856 leaves Pitcairn uninhabited
  5. First group returns from Norfolk Island
  6. Latest population figure
  7. The Permanent Committee on Geographic Names stated that Auckland, New Zealand is the administrative centre for these isl
  8. The Temoe atoll of French Polynesia, although closer, is uninhabited.
  9. "United Kingdom Overseas Territories – Toponymic Information"
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/946074/UKOTs_Information_Paper.pdf
  10. "Minutes of the Regular council Meeting held at the Pulau school"
    https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6526ff6fef608a3828c13d05/t/664ed8e6674ec54c1518dfd1/1716443378661/Regular_Council_Minutes_24_April_2024_20240521_0001.pdf
  11. "Life on Pitcairn — Pitcairn Island Immigration"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20241227154807/https://www.immigration.pn/life-on-pitcairn-island
  12. The Government of the Pitcairn Islands
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150705134639/http://www.government.pn/policies/Pitcairn%20Island%20SDP%202012-2016.pdf#page=4
  13. Oxford English Dictionary
  14. "British Nationality Act 1981 – Schedule 6 British Overseas Territories"
    http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/61
  15. "Pitcairn Constitution Order 2010 – Section 2 and Schedule 1, Section 6"
    http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/244/pdfs/uksi_20100244_en.pdf
  16. "Laws of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands"
    http://www.government.pn/Laws/
  17. "The Overseas Territories"
    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/14929/ot-wp-0612.pdf
  18. Collapse: how societies choose to fail or succeed
    https://archive.org/details/collapse00jare
  19. "Pitcairn before the mutineers" in "The Bounty from the beach: Cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary essays"
    https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/27524/bountyfrom.pdf?sequence=1#page=77
  20. History of Pitcairn Island
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141211081408/http://library.puc.edu/pitcairn/pitcairn/govt-history15.shtml
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