Page last updated on January 7, 2014
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.
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
total: 36 sq km
country comparison to the world: 235
land: 36 sq km
water: 0 sq km
about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation
volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Bates 319 m
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2011)
typhoons (especially May to July)
most of the 32 km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated
noun: Norfolk Islander(s)
adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)
descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander, Polynesian
English (official), Norfolk (a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian)
Protestant 45.6% (Anglican 31.8%, Uniting Church in Australia 10.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.2%), Roman Catholic 11.5%, other Christian 5.6%, none 19.9%, unspecified 16.6% (2006 census)
2,196 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 233
0-14 years: 20.2%
15-64 years: 63.9%
65 years and over: 15.9% (2013 est.)
0.01% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form: Norfolk Island
self-governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
name: Kingston
geographic coordinates: 29 03 S, 167 58 E
time difference: UTC+11.5 (16.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
none (territory of Australia)
none (territory of Australia)
Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856)
previous 1913, 1957; latest effective 7 August 1979; amended many times, last in 2010 (2011)
English common law and the laws of Australia
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by the Australian governor general
head of government: Administrator Neil POPE (since 1 April 2012)
cabinet: Executive Council made up of 4 of the 9 members of the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and acts as an advisor to the administrator
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia for a two year term and represents the monarch and Australia
unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be given to any one candidate; members to serve three-year terms)
elections: last held on 13 March 2013 (next to be held in 2016)
election results: seats - independents 8; Norfolk Liberals 1
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Norfolk Island (consists of the chief justice and NA justices)
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor general of Australia from among justices of the Federal Court of Australia; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: Petty Court of Sessions; specialized courts including a Coroner's Court and the Employment Tribunal
Norfolk Island Labor Party [Mike KELLY]
none (territory of Australia)
none (territory of Australia)
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; green stands for the rich vegetation on the island, and the pine tree - endemic to the island - is a symbol of Norfolk Island
note: somewhat reminiscent of the flag of Canada with its use of only two colors and depiction of a prominent local floral symbol in the central white band
name: "Come Ye Blessed"
lyrics/music: New Testament/John Prindle SCOTT
note: the local anthem, whose lyrics consist of the words from Matthew 25:34-36, 40, is also known as "The Pitcairn Anthem;" as a territory of Australia, "God Save the Queen" is official (see Australia), however, the island does not recognize "Advance Australia Fair"
Norfolk Island is suffering from a severe economic downturn. Tourism, the primary economic activity, is the main driver of economic growth. The agricultural sector has become self sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.
Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry
tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete
978 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 230
agriculture: 6%
industry: 14%
services: 80% (2006 est.)
revenues: $4.6 million
expenditures: $4.8 million (FY99/00)
postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
general assessment: adequate
domestic: free local calls
international: country code - 672; submarine cable links with Australia and New Zealand; satellite earth station - 1
1 local radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available via satellite (2009)
128 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 204
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 228
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
total: 80 km
country comparison to the world: 216
paved: 53 km
unpaved: 27 km (2008)
major seaport(s): Kingston
defense is the responsibility of Australia
