CapitalAdamstown
Population50
Area47 km²
LanguagesEnglish , Pitkern
CurrencyNew Zealand dollars
Governmentthe government operates as a parliamentary democracy.
Introduction
Background
Polynesians were the first settlers on the four tiny islands that are now called the Pitcairn Islands, but all four were uninhabited by the time Europeans discovered them in 1606. Pitcairn Island -- the only one now inhabited -- was rediscovered by a British explorer in 1767. In 1789, Fletcher CHRISTIAN led a mutiny on the HMS Bounty, and after several months of searching for Pitcairn Island, he landed on it with eight other mutineers and their Tahitian companions. They lived in isolation and evaded detection by English authorities until 1808, when only one man, 10 women, and 23 children remained. In 1831, with the population of 87 proving too big for the island, the British attempted to move all the islanders to Tahiti, but they were soon returned to Pitcairn Island. The island became an official British colony in 1838, and in 1856, the British again determined that the population of 193 was too high and relocated all the residents to Norfolk Island. Several families returned in 1858 and 1864, bringing the island’s population to 43, and almost all of the island’s current population are descendants of these returnees.
The UK annexed the nearby uninhabited islands of Henderson, Oeno, and Ducie in 1902 and incorporated them into the Pitcairn Islands colony in 1938. The population peaked at 233 in 1937 as outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has since thinned the population. Only two children were born between 1986 and 2012, and in 2005, a couple became the first outsiders to obtain citizenship in more than a century. Since 2013, the Pitcairn Islands has tried to attract new migrants but has had no applicants because it requires prospective migrants to front significant sums of money and prohibits employment during a two-year trial period, at which point the local council can deny long-term resident status.
Geography
Area
land
47 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
47 sq km
Climate
tropical climate; characterized by heat and humidity; influenced by southeast trade winds; experiences a rainy period from November to March
Terrain
characterized by a rugged volcanic landscape; features a coastline marked by cliffs and rocky surfaces
Land use
other
25.5% (2022 est.)
forest
74.5% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Location
located in Oceania, these islands are situated in the South Pacific Ocean, approximately equidistant between Peru and New Zealand
Coastline
51 km
Elevation
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point
Palwala Valley Point on Big Ridge 347 m
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Map references
Oceania
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
experiences sporadic tropical cyclones, particularly from November to March, but typically encounters only severe tropical storms; prone to landslides
Geography - note
the most remote dependency of Britain; only the larger Pitcairn Island is populated, yet it lacks a port or natural harbor; supplies must be delivered by longboat from larger vessels anchored offshore
Natural resources
miro trees (utilized for craftwork), fish
Area - comparative
approximately thirty percent the area of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
25 04 S, 130 06 W
Population distribution
a small number of residents, the majority of whom live in the vicinity of Adamstown
People & Society
Languages
English (official), Pitkern (a blend of an 18th-century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect)
Religions
Seventh Day Adventist 100%
Population
total
50 (2025 est.)
Nationality
noun
Pitcairn Islander(s)
adjective
Pitcairn Islander
Ethnic groups
descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives
Population growth rate
0% (2014 est.)
Population distribution
a small population, primarily located close to the village of Adamstown
Environment
Climate
tropical; characterized by high temperatures and humidity; influenced by southeast trade winds; wet season (November through March)
Land use
other
25.5% (2022 est.)
forest
74.5% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation (merely a small fraction of the original forest persists due to burning and land clearing for habitation)
Government
Flag
description: the flag is blue, featuring the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the coat of arms of the Pitcairn Islanders prominently displayed on the right side; the green field is adorned with a yellow anchor positioned above a Bible (both symbols were associated with the HMS Bounty); the crest includes a wheelbarrow from Pitcairn Island alongside a flowering twig of miro, a native plant.
meaning: the colors green, yellow, and blue of the shield symbolize the island emerging from the sea.
Capital
name
Adamstown
etymology
the island is named for John ADAMS (1767–1829), the final survivor among the Bounty mutineers who established residence on Pitcairn Island in 1790.
time difference
UTC-9 (which is 4 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time).
geographic coordinates
25 04 S, 130 05 W
Suffrage
minimum age of 18 years; universal suffrage with a requirement of three years of residency.
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Constitution
history
multiple previous drafts; the most recent was drafted on 10 February 2010, presented on 17 February 2010, and came into effect on 4 March 2010.
Country name
etymology
the island is named in honor of English midshipman Robert PITCAIRN, who first discovered the island in 1767.
conventional long form
Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form
Pitcairn Islands
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Legal system
local regulations and by-laws.
Government type
the government operates as a parliamentary democracy.
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Pitcairn Court of Appeal (comprising the court president, two judges, and the Supreme Court chief justice, who serves as an ex-officio member); Pitcairn Supreme Court (which includes the chief justice and two judges).
subordinate courts
Magistrate's Court
judge selection and term of office
all judges in both courts are appointed by the governor of the Pitcairn Islands under the direction of the British monarch via the Secretary of State; judges may serve until retirement, typically at the age of 75.
Executive branch
cabinet
none
chief of state
King CHARLES III (ascended on 8 September 2022); represented by the UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and the nonresident Governor of the Pitcairn Islands, Iona THOMAS (since 9 August 2022).
election results
Shawn CHRISTIAN elected mayor and chairman of the Island Council
head of government
Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Shawn CHRISTIAN (since 5 November 2025)
most recent election date
5 November 2025
election/appointment process
the monarchy operates on a hereditary principle; the governor and commissioner are appointed by the monarch; the island's mayor is elected directly by popular vote for a three-year term.
expected date of next election
November 2028
National holiday
the official birthday of King Charles III is generally observed on the second Saturday of June (1948); additionally, Discovery Day (Pitcairn Day) is celebrated on 2 July (1767).
Dependency status
the Pitcairn Islands are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom.
Political parties
none
Legislative branch
term in office
the terms are two years; note: councilors and the deputy mayor are elected for two-year terms, the mayor for a three-year term, and the administrator is appointed by the governor for an indefinite period.
number of seats
10 (directly elected and appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Island Council
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
6 November 2019
expected date of next election
N/A
percentage of women in chamber
60%
parties elected and seats per party
independent (5)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a UK overseas territory
lyrics/music
unknown
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation
SPC, UPU
Economy
Industries
postage stamps, handicrafts, beekeeping, honey
Exchange rates
Currency
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
1.542 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
1.414 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
1.577 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
1.628 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
1.652 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
a small British island territory in the South Pacific with an economy that is largely based on the export of postage stamps, handicraft items, honey, and tinctures; it has severely limited infrastructure and relies heavily on financial assistance from the UK and EU; recently reopened its borders following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Exports - partners
UK 21%, Canada 19%, Tanzania 12%, Colombia 11%, Spain 8% (2023)
Imports - partners
USA 59%, NZ 37%, Italy 2%, UAE 1%, Brazil 1% (2023)
Agricultural products
honey; a diverse assortment of fruits and vegetables; goats, chickens; fish
Exports - commodities
fertilizers, sulfur, refined petroleum, excavation machinery, ethylene polymers (2022)
Imports - commodities
construction vehicles, refined petroleum, beef, computers, other foods (2023)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
96.2% (2021 est.)
Broadcast media
Sky Pacific, a satellite television service originating from Fiji, provides a diverse selection of international channels.
Internet country code
.pn
Telephones - mobile cellular
There is no conventional public cellular network. Internet access is satellite-based (Starlink), and VoIP applications such as WhatsApp and Viber are accessible.
Transportation
Military & Security
Military - note
The responsibility for defense lies with the United Kingdom.
