|
The Pitcairn Islands are a group of five islands, of which only Pitcairn Island is inhabited, in the southern Pacific Ocean, the only remaining British colony in the Pacific. The islands are known mostly because the original settlers were mutineers of HMAV Bounty, as well as Tahitians those mutineers took along, as described in the book Mutiny on the Bounty, later depicted in a number of movies. Also, it is the least populated country (though it is not sovereign) of the world with about 47 inhabitants (9 families).
Politics
Main article: Politics of the Pitcairn Islands
The Governor of the Pitcairn Islands is the British High Commissioner to New Zealand, currently Richard Fell, who is therefore not resident on the island. The island's daily affairs were traditionally taken care of by the Magistrate, the chairman of the Island Council. Elections for this position took place every three years. Following a constitutional revision in 1998, the previous executive functions of the magistrate were transferred to the Mayor of Pitcairn from 1999 onwards. Up to 30 October 2004, the Mayor was Steve Christian; in the wake of his rape conviction on October 24 2004, he was dismissed after refusing to resign. His sister, Brenda Christian, was appointed interim Mayor on November 7, pending elections scheduled for December 15 2004, which were won by Jay Warren.
Geography
Main article: Geography of the Pitcairn Islands
The Pitcairn Islands consist of five islands: Pitcairn Island, Sandy Island, Oeno Island, Henderson Island, and Ducie Island. Pitcairn and Henderson are volcanic islands, and Ducie and Oeno are coral atolls.
The only inhabited island, Pitcairn, has an area of 5 km² and a population density of 10/km²; it is only accessible by boat through Bounty Bay.
The other islands are at a distance of more than 100 km.
Economy
Main article: Economy of the Pitcairn Islands
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 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 design of the island, which lacks a harbour or airstrip, forcing all trade to be made by longboat to anchored ships. According to some recent media coverage, prostitution to ship crews became increasingly common as the postage stamp trade diminished [1] (http://www.guardian.co.uk/women/story/0,,490962,00.html).
Labor force: 12 able-bodied men and an unknown number of able bodied women (1997).
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of the Pitcairn Islands
Most of the resident Pitcairn Islanders are still descendants of the Bounty mutineers, as their surnames show. All Pitcairners are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. An 18th century dialect of the English language is spoken along with the Tahitian language, the two together forming a creole language known as Pitcairnese.
In September 2003 a child was born, the first on the Pitcairn Islands in 17 years.
Culture
Pitcairn culture, like its language, is a mix of English and Taihitian cultures. Later on, a successful Adventist mission was important in shaping the Pitcairn society [2] (http://news.adventist.org/data/2001/04/0991166375/index.html.en). In recent years the church has declined, with about 8 islanders worshipping regularly, but most islanders will attend church on special occasions. The Sabbath is still observed as a day of rest and as a mark of respect of observant Adventists.
The once-strict moral codes, which prohibited dancing, public shows of affection, and consumption of alcohol, have been relaxed in recent years. One may obtain a six-month license to purchase alcohol; the licence fee is NZ$10.00 for residents, and NZ25.00 for tourists.
Communications
- There are satellite phones only on the island now. No party lines are connected anymore. Islanders call between homes and ships via VHF radio.
- Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
- Radios: Walkie-Talkie styled radios frequently used to maintain contact among people in different areas of the island.
- Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997)
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 Government-sponsored satellite internet connection, split to many houses on the island.
Country code (Top level domain): PN
Transportation
The settlers of the Pitcairns all arrived by some form of boat or ship; the most famous was the HMS Bounty, on which the mutiny occurred and which was burned down in Bounty Bay.
These remote islands do not have an airport or seaport; the country relies on longboats to ferry people and goods between ship and shore through Bounty Bay on the only inhabited island, Pitcairn. 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.
There are no paved roads and no railways. There is 6.4 km of unpaved road. On land, walking has historically been the way of getting around; all-terrain vehicles have become common in more recent years.
ccTLD
Their Domain Registry is based at www.nic.pn (http://www.nic.pn/PnRegistry/PnRegistry.htm)
External links
|
