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Encyclopedia > Pitcairn Islands
Pitkern Ailan
Pitcairn Islands
Flag of Pitcairn Islands Coat of arms of Pitcairn Islands
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem
"Come ye Blessed"
Location of Pitcairn Islands
Capital
(and largest city)
Adamstown
Official languages English, Pitkern
Government British Overseas Territory
 -  Sovereign Elizabeth II
 -  Governor George Fergusson
 -  Mayor Jay Warren
Area
 -  Total 5 km² 
sq mi 
Population
 -  July 1 2007 estimate 50 (235th)
 -  Density 9.3 /km² (197th)
33.8 /sq mi
Currency New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Time zone (UTC-8)
Internet TLD .pn
Calling code +64

The Pitcairn Islands (Pitkern: Pitkern Ailen), officially named the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands, are a group of four islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. The islands are a British overseas territory (formerly British colony), the last remaining in the Pacific. Only Pitcairn Island — the second largest — is inhabited. Pitcairn can refer to: The Pitcairn Islands in the South Pacific Pitcairn, New York, United States Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, United States This is a disambiguation page, a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Pitcairn_Islands. ... Image File history File links Coat_of_Arms_of_the_Pitcairn_Islands. ... Flag ratio: 1:2 The flag of the Pitcairn Islands was adopted on April 2, 1984. ... The Coat of Arms of the Pitcairn Islands were first adopted on November 4, 1969. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is evoking and eulogising the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognised either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... The Pitcairn Anthem – Come ye Blessed is the national anthem sung by people on Norfolk Island and on the Pitcairn Islands. ... Image File history File links Pacific-Ocean-Pitcairn-Island-on-globe-view-English. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... Estimates of the population of the Pitcairn Islands range from 46 to 48, and beyond this point it is difficult to keep accurate statistics on such points as age structure due to the remoteness of the settlement. ... View of Adamstown Adamstown is the only settlement of the Pitcairn Islands, and by default, the capital of the Pitcairn Islands. ... An official language is a language that is given a unique legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Pitkern (also Pitcairnese) is a creole language based on an 18th century dialect of English and Tahitian. ... A United Kingdom overseas territory (formerly known as a dependent territory or earlier as a crown colony) is a territory that is under the sovereignty and formal control of the United Kingdom but is not part of the United Kingdom proper (almost exclusively Great Britain and Northern Ireland). ... The British monarch or Sovereign is the monarch and head of state of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories, and is the source of all executive, judicial and (as the Queen-in-Parliament) legislative power. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary [1]; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, and their respective overseas territories and dependencies. ... Flag of the Governor of the Pitcairn Islands See main articles: List of Governors of Fiji (1898-1970) List of British High Commissioners to New Zealand (1970-present) The Pitcairn Islands are the last remaining British dependency in the Pacific. ... This article or section needs a complete rewrite for the reasons listed on the talk page. ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... Jay Warren (born 1956) is a Pitcairn politician, who was elected Mayor of the the last remaining British dependency in Oceania in the general election held on 15 December 2004, defeating Brenda Christian, who had held the Mayoralty in an interim capacity following the dismissal from the post of her... This article is about the physical quantity. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... This is a list of countries ordered according to population. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Population density by country, 2006 List of countries and dependencies by population density in inhabitants/km². The list includes sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations. ... ISO 4217 Code NZD User(s) New Zealand, Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn Islands, Tokelau Inflation 2. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... “UTC” redirects here. ... A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a top-level domain used and reserved for a country or a dependent territory. ... .pn is the Internet country code top-level domain ( ccTLD) for Pitcairn Islands. ... A telephone number is a sequence of decimal digits (0-9) that is used for identifying a destination telephone line in a telephone network. ... The New Zealand telephone numbering plan describes the allocation of telephone numbers in New Zealand. ... Pitkern (also Pitcairnese) is a creole language based on an 18th century dialect of English and Tahitian. ... Henderson Island is an uninhabited uplifted coral island in the south Pacific Ocean, annexed to the Pitcairn Islands colony in 1902. ... Map of Pitcairn Islands, with inset of Ducie Island Ducie Island, a rarely visited island atoll, has been part of the Pitcairn Islands since 1902. ... Map of Pitcairn Islands. ... Location of the British Overseas Territories The British Overseas Territories are fourteen[1] territories which the United Kingdom considers to be under its sovereignty, but not as part of the United Kingdom itself. ...


The islands are best known for being the home of the descendants of the Bounty mutineers and the Tahitians who accompanied them, an event retold in numerous books and films. This story is still apparent in the surnames of many of the islanders. With only 50 inhabitants (from nine families), Pitcairn is also notable for being the least populated jurisdiction in the world (although it is not a sovereign nation). The United Nations Committee on Decolonisation includes the Pitcairn Islands on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.[1] For other uses, see Mutiny on the Bounty (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Sovereignty is the exclusive right to exercise supreme authority over a geographic region or group of people, such as a nation or a tribe. ... The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... Map of the countries in the UN list:  current  former The United Nations maintains a list of territories that do not govern themselves. ...

Contents

History

Main article: History of the Pitcairn Islands

The original settlers of the Pitcairn Islands (Ducie, Henderson, Oeno and Pitcairn) were Polynesians who appear to have lived on Pitcairn and Henderson for several centuries. However, although archaeologists believe that Polynesians were living on Pitcairn as late as the 15th century, the islands were uninhabited when they were discovered by Europeans.[citation needed] // Pitcairn before the Bounty When the Bounty mutineers arrived on Pitcairn, it was uninhabited. ... Carving from the ridgepole of a Māori house, ca 1840 Polynesia (from Greek: πολύς many, νῆσος island) is a large grouping of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. ...


Ducie and Henderson Islands are believed to have been discovered by Europeans on 26 January 1606 by Portuguese sailor Pedro Fernandes de Queirós, sailing for the Spanish crown, who named them La Encarnación ("Incarnation") and San Juan Bautista ("Saint John the Baptist") respectively. However, some sources express doubt about exactly which of the islands were visited and named by Queirós, suggesting that Queirós’ La Encarnación may actually have been Henderson Island, and San Juan Bautista may have been Pitcairn Island.[2] is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events January 27 - The trial of Guy Fawkes and other conspirators begins ending in their execution on January 31 May 17 - Supporters of Vasili Shusky invade the Kremlin and kill Premier Dmitri December 26 - Shakespeares King Lear performed in court Storm buries a village of St Ismails near... Pedro Fernandes de Queirós (1565 - 1614), also known in English as Pedro Fernández de Quirós, was a Portuguese seaman and explorer. ... Christ en majesté, Matthias Grünewald, 16th c. ... John the Baptist (also called John the Baptizer or John the Dipper) is regarded as a prophet by at least three religions: Christianity, Islam, and Mandaeanism. ...


Ducie Island was rediscovered in 1791 by the British Capt. Edwards aboard HMS Pandora, and named after Francis, Lord Ducie, a captain in the Royal Navy. It was annexed by Britain on 19 December 1902, and in 1938 it was formally incorporated into Pitcairn to become part of a single administrative district (the "Pitcairn Group of Islands"). HMS Pandora was a 24-gun frigate of the Royal Navy, built by Adams and Barnard at Deptford, and launched on 17 May 1779. ... The title of Earl of Ducie was created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1837. ... is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...


Henderson Island was rediscovered on 17 January 1819 by British Capt. Henderson of the British East India Company ship Hercules. On 2 March 1819, Captain Henry King, sailing aboard the Elizabeth, landed on the island to find the King's colours already flying. His crew scratched the name of their ship into a tree and for some years the island's name was Elizabeth or Henderson interchangeably. Henderson Island was annexed by Britain and incorporated into Pitcairn in 1938. is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1819 common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1819 common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...


Oeno Island was discovered on 26 January 1824 by U.S. Captain George Worth aboard the whaler Oeno. On 10 July 1902 Oeno was annexed by Britain. It was incorporated into Pitcairn in 1938. is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1824 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... is the 191st day of the year (192nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

Orthographic projection centred over Pitcairn Island
Orthographic projection centred over Pitcairn Island

Pitcairn Island itself was discovered on July 3, 1767 by the crew of the British sloop HMS Swallow, commanded by Captain Philip Carteret (though according to some it had perhaps been visited by Quiros in 1606). It was named after Midshipman Robert Pitcairn, a fifteen-year-old crewmember who was the first to sight the island. Pitcairn was the son of British Marine Officer John Pitcairn. Image File history File links Orthographic projection centred over Pitcairn Island 25°04′ S 130°6′ W. File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Orthographic projection centred over Pitcairn Island 25°04′ S 130°6′ W. File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1767 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... USS Constellation, a United States Navy sloop-of-war. ... Philip Carteret (1733 - 1796) was a British naval officer and explorer who participated in the Royal Navys circumnavigation expedition of 1766. ... John Pitcairn (1722–June 17, 1775) was a British Marine who was stationed in Boston, Massachusetts at the start of the American Revolutionary War. ...

Geodesy Collection on Pitcairn Island
Geodesy Collection on Pitcairn Island

In 1790, the mutineers of HMAV Bounty and their Tahitian companions, some of whom may have been kidnapped from Tahiti, settled on Pitcairn Island and set fire to the Bounty. The wreck is still visible underwater in Bounty Bay. The ship itself was discovered in 1957 by National Geographic explorer Luis Marden. Although the settlers were able to survive by farming and fishing, the initial period of settlement was marked by serious tensions among the settlers. Alcoholism, murder, disease and other ills took the lives of most mutineers and Tahitian men. John Adams and Ned Young turned to the Scriptures using the ship's Bible as their guide for a new and peaceful society. Young eventually died of an asthmatic infection. The Pitcairners also converted to Christianity; however they would later convert from their existing form of Christianity to Adventism after a successful Adventist mission in the 1890s. When the American sailing ship Topaz found Pitcairn again in 1808, John Adams was granted amnesty for his mutiny. Download high resolution version (1024x972, 154 KB)Pitcairn Islands Image ID: geod0154, Geodesy Collection, Station Number 039 Location: Pitcairn Island Source: NOAA File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Download high resolution version (1024x972, 154 KB)Pitcairn Islands Image ID: geod0154, Geodesy Collection, Station Number 039 Location: Pitcairn Island Source: NOAA File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... For other uses, see Mutiny on the Bounty (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The National Geographic Society was founded in the USA on January 27, 1888, by 33 men interested in organizing a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge. ... Luis Marden (born Annibale Luigi Paragallo) (January 25, 1913—March 3, 2003) was an Italian-American photographer, explorer, writer, filmmaker, diver, navigator, and linguist who worked for National Geographic Magazine. ... John Adams John Adams (1768?–5 March 1829) was the last survivor of the Bounty mutineers who settled on Pitcairn Island in January 1790, the year after the mutiny. ... Edward Young (1766–1800), also known as Ned Young, was a British sailor and co-founder of the Pitcairn Island settlement. ... Many religions and spiritual movements hold certain written texts (or series of spoken legends not traditionally written down) to be sacred. ... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... The term Adventist can refer to One who believes in the Second Advent (usually known as the Second coming) of Jesus. ... Mayhew Folger was the Captain of the sealing ship Topaz that rediscovered the Pitcairn Islands in 1808. ... Look up Amnesty in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Mutiny is the act of conspiring to disobey an order that a group of similarly-situated individuals (typically members of the military; or the crew of any ship, even if they are civilians) are legally obliged to obey. ...


The island became a British colony in 1838 and was among the first territories to extend voting rights to women. By the mid-1850s the Pitcairn community was outgrowing the island and its leaders appealed to the British government for assistance. They were offered Norfolk Island and on 3 May 1856, the entire community of 193 people set sail for Norfolk on board the Morayshire, arriving on 8 June after a miserable five-week trip. But after eighteen months on Norfolk, seventeen of the Pitcairners returned to their home island; five years later another twenty-seven did the same. The term womens suffrage refers to an economic and political reform movement aimed at extending suffrage — the right to vote — to women. ... is the 123rd day of the year (124th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... is the 159th day of the year (160th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...


Since a population peak of 233 in 1937, the island has been suffering from emigration, primarily to New Zealand, leaving some fifty people living on Pitcairn.


There are allegations of a long history and tradition of sexual abuse of girls as young as 7, which culminated in 2004 in the charging of seven men living on Pitcairn, and another six now living abroad, with sex-related offences, including rape. On October 25, 2004, six men were convicted, including Steve Christian, the island's mayor at the time. See Pitcairn rape trial of 2004. The British government has decided to set up a prison for only the island, and spend an annual budget of NZD 950,000, after the six men lost their final appeal. “Bad Touch” redirects here. ... is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Steven Raymond Christian (born 1951) was the Mayor of the Pitcairn Islands, a British dependency in the Pacific Ocean, from 7 December 1999 to 30 October 2004. ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... On 30 September 2004, seven men living on Pitcairn Island (including Steve Christian, the Mayor), went on trial facing 55 charges relating to sexual offences. ...


Politics

Map of Pitcairn Islands. Source:CIA World Factbook
Map of Pitcairn Islands. Source:CIA World Factbook

The Governor of the Pitcairn Islands is the British High Commissioner to New Zealand, currently George Fergusson. He maintains a representative officer on the island as a link between himself and the islanders - this is probably the most remote and inaccessible diplomatic posting in the world. But because the high commissioner does not live on the island, its daily affairs were traditionally taken care of by the magistrate, chairman of the Island Council. Elections for this position take place every three years. After a constitutional revision in 1998, these functions were transferred to the mayor of Pitcairn from 1999 onwards. The Island Magistrate is Simon Young who was appointed by the Governor. Chairman of the Internal Committee is an elected official. Until 30 October 2004, the mayor was Steve Christian; after his rape conviction on October 24, 2004, Christian was dismissed (after refusing to resign). Steve Christian, who claims to be a direct descendent of Bounty mutiny leader Fletcher Christian, was sentenced to three years after being convicted of five rapes, including one of a girl of 12, and sentenced to three years in prison. The charges against the men, one of which dated back to 1972, followed a report by a British policewoman stationed on the island in 1999. The defendants were convicted based on testimony from eight women. Dozens of alleged victims refused to testify. Country name: conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands Data code: PC Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Government type: Municipality/Constitutional monarchy Capital: Adamstown, named after John Adams, the last of the mutineers, who died in 1829. ... Image File history File links Pitcairn_Islands-CIA_WFB_Map. ... World Factbook 2004 cover The World Factbook is an annual publication by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States with basic almanac-style information about the various countries of the world. ... Countries belonging to the Commonwealth of Nations typically exchange High Commissioners, rather than Ambassadors. ... This article or section needs a complete rewrite for the reasons listed on the talk page. ... The Pitcairn Islands, a small group of islands in the eastern Pacific, are (as of 2005) the last remaining British colony in Oceania. ... The Island Council is the legislative body of the Pitcairn Islands. ... The Pitcairn Islands, a small group of islands in the eastern Pacific, are (as of 2005) the last remaining British colony in Oceania. ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Steven Raymond Christian (born 1951) was the Mayor of the Pitcairn Islands, a British dependency in the Pacific Ocean, from 7 December 1999 to 30 October 2004. ... On 30 September 2004, seven men living on Pitcairn Island (including Steve Christian, the Mayor), went on trial facing 55 charges relating to sexual offences. ... is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Historically a Pitcairn Islander has taken on the role of police officer and has also acted as Immigration and Customs Officer. ...


The three-week trials were held under British law in makeshift courtrooms on the island and presided over by three judges from New Zealand. [1]


Steve Christian’s son, Randy, was sentenced to six years for four rapes and five indecent assaults.


Len Brown, 78, was convicted of two rapes and sentenced to two years. His son, Dave, was convicted of nine indecent assaults and sentenced to community service.


Dennis Christian, 49, the postmaster and another descendant of Fletcher Christian, was convicted of one indecent assault and two sexual assaults he had pleaded guilty to. He was also sentenced to community service.


Terry Young was convicted of one rape and six indecent assaults. Judges imprisoned him for five years.


Jay Warren, the island’s magistrate, was cleared of indecent assault. Jay Warren (born 1956) is a Pitcairn politician, who was elected Mayor of the the last remaining British dependency in Oceania in the general election held on 15 December 2004, defeating Brenda Christian, who had held the Mayoralty in an interim capacity following the dismissal from the post of her...


Brenda Christian was selected by the Island Council, to be mayor for November and December 2004, until an election was held. Jay Warren was elected on December 15, 2004. Brenda Vera Amelia Lupton-Christian is a Pitcairn Islands politician, who served the territory as its first female Mayor from 8 November to 15 December 2004. ... Jay Warren (born 1956) is a Pitcairn politician, who was elected Mayor of the the last remaining British dependency in Oceania in the general election held on 15 December 2004, defeating Brenda Christian, who had held the Mayoralty in an interim capacity following the dismissal from the post of her... is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Geography

The Pitcairn Islands form the southeasternmost extension of the geological archipelago of the Tuamotus of French Polynesia, and consist of four islands: Pitcairn Island, Oeno Island (atoll with 5 islets), Henderson Island and Ducie Island (atoll with 4 islets). Map of Pitcairn Islands. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... The Mergui Archipelago The Archipelago Sea, situated between the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland, the largest archipelago in the world by the number of islands. ... A Satellite photo of the Acteon Group, 4 atolls in the southeastern Tuamotus. ... Map of Pitcairn Islands. ... Henderson Island is an uninhabited uplifted coral island in the south Pacific Ocean, annexed to the Pitcairn Islands colony in 1902. ... Map of Pitcairn Islands, with inset of Ducie Island Ducie Island, a rarely visited island atoll, has been part of the Pitcairn Islands since 1902. ...


The only permanently inhabited island, Pitcairn, is accessible only by boat through Bounty Bay. Bounty Bay is an embayment of the Pacific Ocean into Pitcairn Island. ...


Henderson Island, covering about 67% of the territory's total land area, and supporting a rich variety of animals in its nearly inaccessible interior, is also capable of supporting a small human population, but access is difficult, its outer shores comprising steep limestone cliffs of sharp coral. Henderson Island is an uninhabited uplifted coral island in the south Pacific Ocean, annexed to the Pitcairn Islands colony in 1902. ...


The other islands are at a distance of more than 100 km (60 miles) and are not habitable.

Satellite photo of Pitcairn Island
Satellite photo of Pitcairn Island
Island or atoll Type Land area
(km²)*
Total area
(km²)
Pop.
Mar.2007
Coordinates
Ducie Island Atoll 0.7 3.9* - 24°40′09″S, 124°47′11″W
Henderson Island uplifted coral island 37.3 37.3 - 24°22′01″S, 128°18′57″W
Oeno Island Atoll 0.65 16.65* - 23°55′26″S, 130°44′03″W
Pitcairn Island volcanic island 4.6 4.6 48 25°04′00″S, 130°06′00″W
Pitcairn Islands island group 43.25 62.45 48 23°55'26" to 25°04'00"S,
124°47'11" to 130°44'03"W

* including reef flat and lagoon of the atolls Image File history File links Pitcairnsatellite. ... Image File history File links Pitcairnsatellite. ... Map of Pitcairn Islands, with inset of Ducie Island Ducie Island, a rarely visited island atoll, has been part of the Pitcairn Islands since 1902. ... Portion of a Pacific atoll showing two islets on the ribbon or barrier reef separated by a deep pass between the ocean and the lagoon. ... Henderson Island is an uninhabited uplifted coral island in the south Pacific Ocean, annexed to the Pitcairn Islands colony in 1902. ... A tectonic uplift is a geological process most often caused by plate tectonics which increases elevation. ... Map of Pitcairn Islands. ... Portion of a Pacific atoll showing two islets on the ribbon or barrier reef separated by a deep pass between the ocean and the lagoon. ... For other uses, see Volcano (disambiguation). ... This mid bay barrier in Narrabeen, a suburb of Sydney (Australia), has blocked what used to be a bay to form a lagoon. ...


Economy

The fertile soil of the Pitcairn valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. The inhabitants of this tiny economy exist on fishing, subsistence farming, and handicrafts, with barter being an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors, honey, and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships, most of which are plying the United Kingdom to New Zealand route via the Panama Canal. Trade is restricted by the jagged geography of the island, which lacks a harbour or airstrip, forcing all trade to be made by longboat to visiting ships. Occasionally, passengers from expedition-type cruise ships will come ashore for a day, weather permitting. The island has a labour force of 15 men and women (as of 2004). For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... A plate of vegetables Vegetable is a culinary term which generally refers to an edible part of a plant. ... Species & major hybrids Species Citrus aurantifolia - Key lime Citrus maxima - Pomelo Citrus medica - Citron Citrus reticulata - Mandarin & Tangerine Major hybrids Citrus ×sinensis - Sweet Orange Citrus ×aurantium - Bitter Orange Citrus ×paradisi - Grapefruit Citrus ×limon - Lemon Citrus ×limonia - Rangpur lime Citrus ×latifolia - Persian lime See also main text for other hybrids Citrus... Species Saccharum arundinaceum Saccharum bengalense Saccharum edule Saccharum officinarum Saccharum procerum Saccharum ravennae Saccharum robustum Saccharum sinense Saccharum spontaneum Sugarcane or Sugar cane (Saccharum) is a genus of 6 to 37 species (depending on taxonomic interpretation) of tall perennial grasses (family Poaceae, tribe Andropogoneae), native to warm temperate to tropical... For the political designation, see Eco-socialism. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Yams at Brixton market For the term yam as used in the United States, see sweet potato. ... For other uses, see Bean (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fish (disambiguation). ... Farming, ploughing rice paddy, in Indonesia Agriculture is the process of producing food, feed, fiber and other desired products by cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock). ... A handicraft shop in Delhi, India Handicraft, also known as craftwork or simply craft, is a type of work where useful and decorative devices are made completely by hand or using only simple tools. ... A selection of Hong Kong postage stamps A postage stamp is evidence of pre-paying a fee for postal services. ... For other uses, see Honey (disambiguation). ... Two Panamax running the Miraflores Locks The Panama Canal (Spanish: ) is a major ship canal that traverses the Isthmus of Panama in Central America, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. ...


Demographics

Many of the resident Pitcairn Islanders are descendants of the Bounty mutineers, as their surnames show. Most Pitcairners are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pitkern is a creole language derived from eighteenth century English, with elements of the Tahitian language. It is spoken as a first language by the population and is taught alongside standard English at the island's only school. It is closely related to the creole language Norfuk spoken on Norfolk Island, because Norfolk was repopulated in the mid nineteenth century by Pitcairners. Estimates of the population of the Pitcairn Islands range from 46 to 48, and beyond this point it is difficult to keep accurate statistics on such points as age structure due to the remoteness of the settlement. ... For other uses, see Mutiny on the Bounty (disambiguation). ... The Seventh-day Adventist (abbreviated Adventist[1]) Church is a Christian denomination which is distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the seventh day of the week, as the Sabbath. ... Pitkern (also Pitcairnese) is a creole language based on an 18th century dialect of English and Tahitian. ... A creole language, or simply a creole, is a stable language that originated from a non-trivial combination of two or more languages, typically with many features that are not inherited from any parent. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Tahitian, a Tahitic language, is one of the two official languages of French Polynesia (along with French). ... Norfuk (increasingly spelled Norfolk) is the language spoken on Norfolk Island by the local residents. ...


In September 2003, the first baby was born on the islands in 17 years. Another child, Adrianna Tracey Christian, was born on Pitcairn on March 3, 2007. is the 62nd day of the year (63rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ...


In February 2005, Shirley and Simon Young became the first married outsider couple in recorded history to obtain citizenship on Pitcairn.


Culture and religion

Pitcairn culture, like its language, is a mix of English and Tahitian influences. A successful Seventh-day Adventist mission in the 1890s was important in shaping Pitcairn society, though the inhabitants were already observing the Seventh-day Sabbath before the arrival of Adventism.[3] In recent years, the church has declined, with only about eight islanders worshipping regularly, but most of them still attend church on special occasions. The Sabbath is observed as a day of rest and as a mark of respect for observant Adventists. The Seventh-day Adventist (abbreviated Adventist[1]) Church is a Christian denomination which is distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the seventh day of the week, as the Sabbath. ... The Sabbath is an important part of the belief and practice of Seventh-day Adventists, and is perhaps the defining characteristic of the denomination. ...


The once-strict moral codes, which prohibited dancing, public displays of affection, and consumption of alcohol, have been relaxed in recent years. Islanders may now obtain a six-month license to purchase alcohol; the licence fee is NZ$10.00 for residents and NZ$25.00 for tourists. Arthur and Guinevere kiss before all the people. ...


Communications

  • Telephones: There are only satellite phones on the island, replacing a single wired party line. Islanders call between homes and ships via VHF radio.
  • Radio: There is no broadcast station. Marine band walkie-talkie radios are used to maintain contact among people in different areas of the island. Foreign stations can be picked up on Shortwave Radio.
  • Television: There is no broadcast TV; most houses have a VCR/DVD to watch videos. Free-To-Air satellite dishes can be used to watch foreign TV.
  • Internet: There is one Government-sponsored satellite internet connection, networked to all houses on the island. Pitcairn's country code (top level domain) is .pn.

A satellite telephone, satellite phone, or satphone is a mobile phone that communicates directly with orbiting communications satellites. ... In older telephone systems, a party line (also multiparty line or Shared Service Line) is an arrangement in which two or more customers are connected directly to the same local loop. ... Very high frequency (VHF) is the radio frequency range from 30 MHz (wavelength 10 m) to 300 MHz (wavelength 1 m). ... A walkie-talkie is a portable, bi-directional radio transceiver, first developed for military use. ... This article is about an album. ... Free-to-air is a phrase used to describe television and radio broadcasts which are available without subscription and without decryption (pay-TV). ... .pn is the Internet country code top-level domain ( ccTLD) for Pitcairn Islands. ...

Transportation

Pitcairn Island

The settlers of the Pitcairns all arrived by some form of boat or ship; the most famous was the HMAV Bounty, on which the mutiny occurred and which was burned in Bounty Bay. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 598 pixelsFull resolution (1372 × 1026 pixel, file size: 307 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 598 pixelsFull resolution (1372 × 1026 pixel, file size: 307 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... For other uses, see Boat (disambiguation). ... Italian Full rigged ship Amerigo Vespucci in New York Harbor, 1976 A ship is a large watercraft capable of offshore navigation. ... for other meaning see Mutiny on the Bounty (disambiguation) The mutineers turning Lt Bligh and some of the officers and crew adrift from HMAV Bounty, 29 April 1789 The Mutiny on the Bounty was a historical event in the late 18th century, most widely known through fiction, of an officer...


Pitcairn Island does not have an airport or seaport; the islanders rely on longboats to ferry people and goods between ship and shore through Bounty Bay. To get to Pitcairn it is necessary to fly to Tahiti, then Mangareva, then embark on a further 30-hour boat ride. There is one boat every several months. Alternately, passage can be obtained aboard a few freighters out of New Zealand – it is a seven-day trip via freighter. Leaving the island is hit-and-miss; one leaves when transportation happens by, not necessarily when one wishes to go. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Port. ... A longboat is a large boat powered by multiple oars and carried on a ship (especially sailed merchant ships). ... The ferryboat Dongan Hills, filled with commuters, about to dock at a New York City pier, circa 1945. ... Italian Full rigged ship Amerigo Vespucci in New York Harbor, 1976 A ship is a large watercraft capable of offshore navigation. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Mangareva is the central, and most important island of the Gambier Islands, in French Polynesia. ...


There is one 6.4 km (4 miles) paved road and no railways. On land, walking has historically been the way of getting around. Mountain road with hairpin turns in the French Alps For other uses, see Road (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...


In the early 1970s, it was decided to bring the first vehicle to the island (a Mini Moke) to make it easier to transport the elderly but the harsh terrain and heavy rain were too much for the diminutive car and a second and eventually a third had to be sent out to replace it. More suitable all-terrain vehicles have become common in more recent years.[4] The Mini Moke is a vehicle based on the Mini and designed for the British Motor Corporation (BMC) by Sir Alec Issigonis. ... The term All-Terrain Vehicle or ATV is used in a general sense to describe any of a number of small open motorized buggies and tricycles designed for off-road use. ...


References

  1. ^ United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories
  2. ^ Pitcairn Islands, "History of Government and Laws, Part 15" 30 September 2006
  3. ^ Pitcairn Islands, "Turning Point for Historic Adventist Community on Pitcairn Island" 30 September 2006
  4. ^ Tim Nuttall. Mini Moke 1964-1989. ISBN 1-870642-94-5. 

is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

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  • Pitcairn Island at WikiMapia
  • Pitcairn Islands travel guide from Wikitravel
  • Lonely Planet WorldGuide profile
  • Bloody history of empire's last outpost BBC News examines the settlement's history, including the 2004 sex-abuse trial.
  • ccTLD registry
  • Editorial story of travel writer Dea Birkett's time on Pitcairn Island
  • News accounts of Pitcairn sexual abuse trial: (ABC) (New Zealand Herald)
  • Official Website of the Pitcairn Government
    • Google Listing of .PN sites
  • Pitcairn Islands Philatelic Bureau
  • Pitcairn Philatelic Bureau & Stamps at NZ Post
  • Pitcairn Islands Study Center
  • Pitcairn Islands Study Group
  • Pitcairn Island Website
    • Who's Who on Pitcairn - Names, ages, and photos of residents
  • Nice photos by a visitor
  • Screensaver and videos from Pitcairn
  • Video of a visit to Pitcairn Island in June 2004
  • Map of Pitcairn Island
  • Archaeological project on Pitcairn Island
  • Simon Winchester on Pitcairn, in Travel Intelligence
  • Living interminably on the periphery by Alkan Chaglar
  • Island Evolution: Pitcairn Island from NASA Earth Observatory
  • The general info about the Island from The CIA World Factbook
  • Pitcairn Islands - Pitcairn Islands at Britlink.
  • Profile from the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Coordinates: 25°04′0.0″S, 130°06′0.0″W Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Image File history File links Wikibooks-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikiquote-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikisource-logo. ... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Image File history File links WikiNews-Logo. ... Image File history File links Wikiversity-logo-Snorky. ... // WikiMapia is an online map and satellite imaging resource that combines Google Maps with a wiki system, allowing users to add information (in the form of a note) to any location on Earth. ... Wikitravel is a project to create an open content, complete, up-to-date, and reliable world-wide travel guide. ... NASA Earth Observatory is an online publication of NASA where the public can access satellite imagery and scientific information about our planet for free. ... The World Factbook 2006 cover The World Factbook is an annual publication by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States with basic almanac-style information about the various countries of the world. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...


  Results from FactBites:
 
Pitcairn Islands - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (2102 words)
The Pitcairn Islands (Pitkern ;: Pitkern Ailen), officially named the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands, are a group of four islands in the southern Pacific Ocean.
The islands are a British overseas territory (formerly British colony), the last remaining in the Pacific.
The Pitcairn Islands form the southeasternmost extension of the geological archipelago of the Tuamotus of French Polynesia, and consist of four islands: Pitcairn Island, Oeno Island (atoll with 5 islets), Henderson Island and Ducie Island (atoll with 4 islets):
  More results at FactBites »


 

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