World Factbook
Norfolk Island
Introduction
Background
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.
Geography
Location
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Geographic coordinates
29 02 S, 167 57 E
Map references
Oceania
Area
total: 36 sq km
land: 36 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 235
Area - comparative
about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
32 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200nm
Climate
subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain
volcanic island with mostly rolling plains
Elevation
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Bates 319 m
Natural resources
fish
Land use
agricultural land: 25% (2011 est.)
arable land: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 25% (2011 est.)
forest: 11.5% (2011 est.)
other: 63.5% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
population concentrated around the capital of Kingston
Natural hazards
tropical cyclones (especially May to July)
Environment - current issues
inadequate solid waste management; most freshwater obtained through rainwater catchment; preservation of unique ecosystem
Geography - note
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
People and Society
Population
1,748 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 232
Nationality
noun: Norfolk Islander(s)
adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)
Ethnic groups
Australian 22.8%, English 22.4%, Pitcairn 20%, Scottish 6%, Irish 5.2% (2011 est.)
note: respondents were able to identify up to two ancestries; percentages represent a proportion of all responses from people in Norfolk Island, including those who did not identify an ancestry; only top responses are shown
Languages
English (official) 44.9%, Norfolk (also known as Norfuk or Norf'k, which is a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian) 40.3%, Fijian 1.8%, other 6.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2016 est.)
note: data represent language spoken at home
Religions
Protestant 46.8% (Anglican 33.6%, Uniting Church in Australia 12.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.2%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, other Christian 2.9%, other 1.4%, none 26.7%, unspecified 9.5% (2016 est.)
Population growth rate
0.01% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Population distribution
population concentrated around the capital of Kingston
Sex ratio
NA
Infant mortality rate
total: NA (2018)
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth
total population: NA (2017 est.)
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate
NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths
NA
Education expenditures
NA
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form: Norfolk Island
etymology: named by British explorer Captain James COOK after Mary HOWARD, Duchess of Norfolk, in 1774
Dependency status
self-governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts, and Sport
Government type
non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia; note - the Norfolk Island Regional Council, which began operations 1 July 2016, is responsible for planning and managing a variety of public services, including those funded by the Government of Australia
Capital
name: Kingston
geographic coordinates: 29 03 S, 167 58 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name is a blending of the words "king's" and "town"; the British king at the time of the town's settlement in the late 18th century was George III
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday
Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856)
Constitution
history: previous 1913, 1957; latest effective 7 August 1979
amendments: amended many times, last in 2015 (2017)
Legal system
English common law and the laws of Australia
Citizenship
see Australia
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sir Peter COSGROVE (since 28 March 2014)
head of government: Administrator Eric HUTCHINSON (since 1 April 2017)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of 4 Legislative Assembly members
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Norfolk Island Regional Council (5 seats; councillors directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); mayor elected annually by the councillors
elections: elections last held 28 May 2016 (next to be held in 2020)
election results: seats by party - independent 5; composition - men 4, women 1, percent of women 20%
note: following an administrative restructuring of local government, the Legislative Assembly was dissolved on 18 June 2015 and replaced by an interim Norfolk Island Advisory Council effective 1 July 2015; the Advisory Council consisted of 5 members appointed by the Norfolk Island administrator based on nominations from the community; following elections on 28 May 2016, the new Norfolk Island Regional Council commenced operations on 1 July 2016
Judicial branch
highest courts: Supreme Court of Norfolk Island (consists of the chief justice and several justices); note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island are heard by the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia
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
Political parties and leaders
Norfolk Island Labor Party [Mike KELLY]
Norfolk Liberals [John BROWN]
International organization participation
UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description
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; also resembles the green and white triband of Nigeria
National symbol(s)
Norfolk Island pine
National anthem
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;" the island does not recognize "Advance Australia Fair" (which other Australian territories use); instead "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Economy
Economy - overview
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
NA
Agriculture - products
Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry
Industries
tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete
Labor force
978 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 229
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 6%
industry: 14%
services: 80% (2006 est.)
Budget
revenues: 4.6 million (FY99/00)
expenditures: 4.8 million (FY99/00)
Fiscal year
1 July - 30 June
Exports
NA
Exports - commodities
postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados
Imports
$NA
Imports - commodities
NA
Debt - external
NA
Exchange rates
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
1.311 (2017 est.)
1.3291 (2016 est.)
1.3291 (2015)
1.3291 (2014 est.)
1.1094 (2013 est.)
Communications
Telephone system
general assessment: adequate
domestic: free local calls
international: country code - 672; submarine cable links with Australia and New Zealand; satellite earth station - 1
Broadcast media
1 local radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available via satellite (2009)
Internet country code
.nf
Internet users
total: 765
percent of population: 34.6% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 225
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transportation
Airports
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 232
Airports - with paved runways
total: 1 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)
Roadways
total: 80 km (2008)
paved: 53 km (2008)
unpaved: 27 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 209
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Kingston
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none
