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Australia - Oceania :: Norfolk Island Print
Page last updated on December 15, 2020
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  • Introduction :: Norfolk Island
  • Background field listing
    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 :: Norfolk Island
  • Location field listing
    Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
    Geographic coordinates field listing
    29 02 S, 167 57 E
    Map references field listing
    Oceania
    Area field listing
    total: 36 sq km
    land: 36 sq km
    water: 0 sq km
    country comparison to the world: 234
    Area - comparative field listing
    about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
    Land boundaries field listing
    0 km
    Coastline field listing
    32 km
    Maritime claims field listing
    territorial sea: 12 nm
    exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
    Climate field listing
    subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation
    Terrain field listing
    volcanic island with mostly rolling plains
    Elevation field listing
    lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
    highest point: Mount Bates 319 m
    Natural resources field listing
    fish
    Land use field listing
    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 field listing
    0 sq km (2012)
    Population distribution field listing
    population concentrated around the capital of Kingston
    Natural hazards field listing
    tropical cyclones (especially May to July)
    Environment - current issues field listing
    inadequate solid waste management; most freshwater obtained through rainwater catchment; preservation of unique ecosystem
    Geography - note field listing
    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 :: Norfolk Island
  • Population field listing
    1,748 (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 232
    Nationality field listing
    noun: Norfolk Islander(s)
    adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)
    Ethnic groups field listing

    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 field listing
    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 field listing
    Protestant 46.8% (Anglican 29.2%, Uniting Church in Australia 9.8%, Presbyterian 2.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.7%, other 2.2%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, other Christian 2.9%, other 1.4%, none 26.7%, unspecified 9.5% (2016 est.)
    Population growth rate field listing
    0.01% (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 191
    Population distribution field listing
    population concentrated around the capital of Kingston
    Sex ratio field listing
    NA
    Infant mortality rate field listing
    total: NA (2018)
    male: NA
    female: NA
    Life expectancy at birth field listing
    total population: NA (2017 est.)
    male: NA
    female: NA
    Total fertility rate field listing
    NA
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate field listing
    NA
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS field listing
    NA
    HIV/AIDS - deaths field listing
    NA
    Education expenditures field listing
    NA
  • Government :: Norfolk Island
  • Country name field listing
    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 field listing
    self-governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts, and Sport
    Government type field listing
    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 field listing
    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 field listing
    none (territory of Australia)
    Independence field listing
    none (territory of Australia)
    National holiday field listing
    Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856)
    Constitution field listing
    history: previous 1913, 1957; latest effective 7 August 1979
    amendments: amended many times, last in 2015
    Citizenship field listing
    see Australia
    Suffrage field listing
    18 years of age; universal
    Executive branch field listing
    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 field listing
    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 field listing
    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 field listing
    Norfolk Island Labor Party [Mike KELLY]
    Norfolk Liberals [John BROWN]
    International organization participation field listing
    UPU
    Diplomatic representation in the US field listing
    none (territory of Australia)
    Diplomatic representation from the US field listing
    none (territory of Australia)
    Flag description field listing
    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) field listing
    Norfolk Island pine
    National anthem field listing
    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 :: Norfolk Island
  • Economic overview field listing
    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) - real field listing

    NA

    Ease of Doing Business Index scores field listing
    Agriculture - products field listing
    Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry
    Industries field listing
    tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete
    Labor force field listing
    978 (2006)
    country comparison to the world: 229
    Labor force - by occupation field listing
    agriculture: 6%
    industry: 14%
    services: 80% (2006 est.)
    Budget field listing
    revenues: 4.6 million (FY99/00)
    expenditures: 4.8 million (FY99/00)
    Fiscal year field listing
    1 July - 30 June
    Exports field listing

    NA

    Exports - commodities field listing
    postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados
    Imports field listing

    $NA

    Imports - commodities field listing
    NA
    Debt - external field listing

    NA

    Exchange rates field listing
    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 :: Norfolk Island
  • Telecommunication systems field listing
    general assessment: adequate, 4G mobile telecommunication network (2020)
    domestic: free local calls
    international: country code - 672; submarine cable links with Australia and New Zealand; satellite earth station - 1
    note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
    Broadcast media field listing
    1 local radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available via satellite (2009)
    Internet country code field listing
    .nf
    Internet users field listing
    total: 765
    percent of population: 34.6% (July 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 228
  • Transportation :: Norfolk Island
  • Airports field listing
    1 (2013)
    country comparison to the world: 231
    Airports - with paved runways field listing
    total: 1 (2019)
    1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
    Roadways field listing
    total: 80 km (2008)
    paved: 53 km (2008)
    unpaved: 27 km (2008)
    country comparison to the world: 215
    Ports and terminals field listing
    major seaport(s): Kingston
  • Military and Security :: Norfolk Island
  • Military - note field listing
    defense is the responsibility of Australia
  • Transnational Issues :: Norfolk Island
  • Disputes - international field listing

    none