Norfolk Island

Background: Background: Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions, resettled the island.
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia. Geographic coordinates: 29 02 S, 167 57 E. Map references: Oceania. Area: Total: 34.6 sq km. Area - comparative: About 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC. Coastline: 32 km.
Climate and Terrain: Subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation. Volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains. Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m, highest point: Mount Bates 319 m. Natural resources: Fish. Land use: Arable land: 0%,permanent pastures: 25%, other: 75%. Natural hazards: typhoons (especially May to July).
People: Population: 1,879. Population growth rate: -0.71% (2001 est.). Ethnic groups: Descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander, Polynesians. 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). Languages: English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian.
Government: Capital: Kingston. Territory of Australia; Canberra administers Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department of Environment, Sport, and Territories
Economy overview: Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over the years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural sector has 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.
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 1,087. Telephones - mobile cellular: 0. Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 3. Radios: 2,500 (1996) Television broadcast stations: 1 (local programming station plus two repeaters that bring in Australian programs by satellite). Televisions: 1,200. Railways: 0 km . Highways: Total: 80 km, paved: 53 km, unpaved: 27 km. Airports - with paved runways: 1.