Pitcairn Islands

Geography: With a population of ONLY 48 people, as of July 2011, the Pitcairn Islands are the SMALLEST country in the World by population!  The Pitcairn Islands are located in the South Pacific Ocean about midway between Peru and New Zealand.

Currency:  New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

National Symbol: ???


National Anthem: "We From Pitcairn Island"

Language:  English

Area Comparison: The Pitcairn Islands are about three tenths the size of Washington, DC

Distance from Pittsburgh:  8,757km or  5,441miles

Terrain: The land is made of rugged, volcanic rock with a rocky coastline with cliffs.  

Highest Point: Big Ridge 347m

Weather You Should Expect: The climate is tropical, hot and humid, but there are southeast trade winds that bring a constant wind. The mean monthly temperatures vary from 19ºC (66ºF) in August to 25ºC (77ºF) in February.

What You Must See: Well known are Bounty Bay, the final resting place of The Bounty, and the Square.  The Edge provides a great view of Bounty Bay. Garnet’s Ridge offers a spectacular view of both Tedside and Adamstown. Tedside is a great secluded place to just visit and, perhaps, find Ms T, the resident Galapagos turtle. The Highest Point is a popular spot to visit. Ship Landing Point overlooks the edge and Bounty Bay. Saint Paul’s, another secluded place, has a beautiful tide pool, and looks great when the surf is up or down. Down Rope – a special isolated spot – has a sandy beach and a cliff wall containing ancient Polynesian petroglypths.  There are many other vistas and places to see, both in Adamstown and around the island, one of the most popular is Christian’s Cave, just outside Adamstown. 

Historical Fact: Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settled in 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.  Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony and today remains that last vestige of that empire in the South Pacific. 


Science Fact: The Pitcairn group includes two low-lying atolls, Oeno and Ducie, and the World Heritage-listed Henderson Island - a makatea (raised coral island) with a virtually untouched environment and endemic birdlife.

Interesting Fact: The Pitcairn Islands are Britain's most isolated dependency. Only the larger island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor and therefore supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationed offshore.

Fun Fact: Supply ship day is a big one.  The bi-annual delivery of needed goods and supplies is much anticipated.  The contracted container ship will stop for up to 12 hours to offload food, building materials, supplies, fuel, etc.  There may be 3-4 containers to hand unload and lower into the waiting longboats below.  

Crazy Facts:  There is no taxation on Pitcairn, instead all able-bodied men and women are expected to report for public work when needed, generally consisting of road work, maintenance of public buildings and, most importantly, manning the longboats to retrieve any arriving cargo and passengers from passing ships.  Public electricity is available part of every day (10 hours) and supplemented by private generators as needed by individuals.  The only form of transportation is three and four wheel ATV motorbikes.  Local ‘telephone’ communication is via house–to-house VHF radio.  Outside communication is via international marine satellite plus HAM radio.  A recent addition is 24-hour Internet and e-mail.  There is no TV reception; however, videos provide the islanders with evening entertainment on both VCR’s and DVD’s.  Pitcairn’s monthly newsletter – Miscellany - is published by the school (edited by the teacher), and posted to subscribers around the world!!!

Random Facts: The only church is Seventh-day Adventist, of which many islanders are members and the minister is assigned from overseas on a rotational basis.  Pitcairn’s school system is basically New Zealand public school with one teacher assigned on a one or two-year contract.  Until recently there was no resident doctor, the pastor’s wife was in the past required to be a Registered nurse!

Everything You Need to Know About the Flag:

The Pitcarin flag is blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag. The green, yellow, and blue of the shield represents the island rising from the ocean. The green field features a yellow anchor surmounted by a bible, both the anchor and the bible were items found on the HMS Bounty. Sitting on the crest is a Pitcairn Island wheelbarrow from which springs a slip of miro- a local plant.