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Pitcairn Islands Information

The Pitcairn Islands ( / ˈ p ɪ t k ɛər n /;[1] Pitkern: Pitkern Ailen), officially named the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, form a group of four volcanic islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. The islands are a British Overseas Territory.[2] The four islands – named Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno – are spread over several hundred miles of ocean and have a total land area of about 18 square miles (47 km2). Only Pitcairn, the second largest and measuring about 2 miles (3.2 km) across, is inhabited.

The islands are best known as home of the descendants of the Bounty mutineers and the Tahitians (or Polynesians) who accompanied them, an event retold in numerous books and films. This history is still apparent in the surnames of many of the islanders. With only about 48 inhabitants[3] (from four families as of 2010: Christian, Warren, Young, and Brown), Pitcairn is the least populous jurisdiction in the world (although it is not a sovereign nation). The United Nations Committee on Decolonisation includes the Pitcairn Islands on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.[4]

Contents

History

Main article: History of the Pitcairn Islands The mutineers turning Bligh and part of the officers and crew adrift from the Bounty, 29 April 1789

The original settlers of the Pitcairn Islands were Polynesians who appear to have lived on Pitcairn and Henderson for several centuries. Although archaeologists believe that Polynesians were living on Pitcairn as late as the 15th century, the islands were uninhabited when they were discovered by Europeans.[5]

Ducie and Henderson Islands were discovered by Portuguese sailor Pedro Fernandes de Queirós, sailing for the Spanish Crown, who arrived on 26 January 1606. He named them La Encarnación ("The Incarnation") and San Juan Bautista ("Saint John the Baptist"), respectively. However, some sources express doubt about exactly which of the islands were visited and named by Queirós, suggesting that Queirós’ La Encarnación may actually have been Henderson Island, and San Juan Bautista may have been Pitcairn Island.[6]

Pitcairn Island was sighted on 3 July 1767 by the crew of the British sloop HMS Swallow, commanded by Captain Philip Carteret. The island was named after Midshipman Robert Pitcairn, a fifteen-year-old crew member who was the first to sight the island. Robert Pitcairn was the son of British Marine Officer John Pitcairn.

Geodesy Collection on Pitcairn Island

Carteret, who sailed without the newly invented accurate marine chronometer, charted the island at 25° 2’ south and 133° 21’ west of Greenwich, but although the latitude was reasonably accurate, the longitude was incorrect by about 3°. This made Pitcairn difficult to find, as highlighted by the failure of Captain James Cook to locate the island in July 1773.[7][8]

Habitation

Further information: Mutiny on the Bounty

In 1790, nine of the mutineers from the Bounty and Tahitian companions (six men, 11 women and a baby) — some of whom may have been kidnapped from Tahiti — settled on Pitcairn Island and set fire to the Bounty. The wreck is still visible underwater in Bounty Bay, discovered in 1957 by National Geographic explorer Luis Marden. Although the settlers were able to survive by farming and fishing, the initial period of settlement was marked by serious tensions among the settlers. Alcoholism, murder, disease and other ills took the lives of most mutineers and Tahitian men. John Adams and Ned Young turned to the scriptures using the ship's Bible as their guide for a new and peaceful society. Young eventually died of an asthmatic infection. The Pitcairners also converted to Christianity; later they converted from their existing form of Christianity to Seventh-day Adventism after a successful Adventist mission in the 1890s. After the rediscovery of Pitcairn, John Adams was granted amnesty for his mutiny.

The Pitcairn islanders reported that it was not until 27 December 1795 that the first ship since the Bounty was seen from the island, but as it did not approach the land, they could not make out to what nation it belonged. A second appeared some time in 1801, but did not attempt to communicate with them. A third came sufficiently near to see their habitations, but did not venture to send a boat on shore. The American trading ship Topaz under the command of Mayhew Folger was the first to visit the island and communicate with them when they spent 10 hours at Pitcairn in February 1808. A report of Folger's find was forwarded to the Admiralty mentioning the mutineers and a more precise location of the island — 25° 2’ S latitude, 130° W longitude[9] — however, this rediscovery was not known to Sir Thomas Staines, who commanded a Royal Navy flotilla of two ships (HMS Briton and HMS Tagus) which found the island at 25° .4’ S (by meridian observation) on 17 September 1814. Staines sent a party ashore and wrote a detailed report for the Admiralty.[10][11][12]

Ducie Island was rediscovered in 1791 by the British Captain Edwards aboard HMS Pandora, while searching for the Bounty mutineers. He named it after Francis Reynolds-Moreton, 3rd Baron Ducie, a captain in the Royal Navy. Henderson Island was rediscovered on 17 January 1819 by a British Captain James Henderson of the British East India Company ship Hercules. On 2 March 1819, Captain Henry King, sailing aboard the Elizabeth, landed on the island to find the king's colours already flying. His crew scratched the name of their ship into a tree, and for some years the island's name was Elizabeth or Henderson. Oeno Island was discovered on 26 January 1824 by U.S. Captain George Worth aboard the whaler Oeno.

British colony

Pitcairn Island became a British colony in 1838 and was among the first territories to extend voting rights to women. By the mid-1850s the Pitcairn community was outgrowing the island and its leaders appealed to the British government for assistance. They were offered Norfolk Island and on 3 May 1856, the entire community of 193 people set sail for Norfolk on board the Morayshire, arriving on 8 June after a miserable five-week trip. But after eighteen months on Norfolk, seventeen of the Pitcairners returned to their home island; five years later another twenty-seven did the same.

In 1902 Henderson, Oeno and Ducie islands were annexed by Britain, Henderson on 1 July, Oeno on 10 July and Ducie on 19 December.[13] In 1938 the three islands along with Pitcairn were formally incorporated into a single administrative unit called the "Pitcairn Group of Islands".

Church of Adamstown

Since a population peak of 233 in 1937, the island has been suffering from emigration, primarily to New Zealand, leaving some fifty people living on Pitcairn (December 2009: 45 islanders on Electoral Roll)

Sexual assault trials of 2004

Main article: Pitcairn sexual assault trial of 2004

In 2004 charges were laid against seven men living on Pitcairn and six living abroad after extensive trials, the men were convicted, some with multiple counts of sexual attacks of children.[14] On 25 October 2004, six men were convicted, including Steve Christian, the island's mayor at the time.[15][16][17] After the six men lost their final appeal, the British government set up a prison on the island at Bob's Valley.[18][19] The men began serving their sentences in late 2006. By 2010 all had served their sentences or been granted home detention status.[20]

In 2010 the island received a new and updated constitution.[21]

Politics

Main article: Politics of the Pitcairn Islands

Politics of the Pitcairn Islands takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic dependency, whereby the Mayor is the head of government. The territory's constitution is the Local Government Ordinance of 1964. In terms of population, the Pitcairn Islands is the smallest democracy in the world.

The government's administrative offices are in Auckland, New Zealand.[22]

Military

The Pitcairn Islands are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, meaning defence is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence and Her Majesty's Armed Forces.[3]

Geography

Main article: Geography of the Pitcairn Islands View of Bounty Bay Map of Pitcairn Islands.

The Pitcairn Islands form the southeasternmost extension of the geological archipelago of the Tuamotus of French Polynesia, and consist of four islands: Pitcairn Island, Oeno Island (atoll with five islets, one of which is Sandy Island), Henderson Island and Ducie Island (atoll with four islets).

The only permanently inhabited island, Pitcairn, is accessible only by boat through Bounty Bay.

Henderson Island, covering about 86% of the territory's total land area and supporting a rich variety of animals in its nearly inaccessible interior, is also capable of supporting a small human population, but access is difficult, owing to its outer shores' being steep limestone cliffs covered by sharp coral.

The Pitcairn Islands were formed by a centre of upwelling magma called the Pitcairn hotspot.

The other islands are at a distance of more than 100 km (62 mi) and are not habitable.

Satellite photo of Pitcairn Island
Island or atoll Type Land area (km²) Total area (km²) Pop. July 2011 Coordinates
Ducie Island Atoll 0.7 3.9* 24°40′09″S 124°47′11″W / 24.66917°S 124.78639°W
Henderson Island Uplifted coral island 37.3 37.3 24°22′01″S 128°18′57″W / 24.36694°S 128.31583°W
Oeno Island Atoll 0.65 16.65* 23°55′26″S 130°44′03″W / 23.92389°S 130.73417°W
Pitcairn Island Volcanic island 4.6 4.6 67 25°04′00″S 130°06′00″W / 25.0666667°S 130.1°W
Pitcairn Islands (all islands) 43.25 62.45 67 23°55′26″ to 25°04′00″S, 124°47′11″ to 130°44′03″W

* Includes reef flat and lagoon of the atolls.

Flora and fauna

See also: List of birds of the Pitcairn Islands

About nine plant species are thought to occur only on Pitcairn. These include tapau, formerly an important timber resource, and the giant nehe fern (Angiopteris chauliodonta). Some, such as red berry (Coprosma rapensis var. Benefica), are perilously close to extinction. The Pitcairn Islands are one of two places (the other being Mangareva) in the world in which the plant species Glochidion pitcairnense occurs.[23]

In terms of fauna, an interesting and rare introduction is the Galapagos giant tortoise (Testudo elephantopus). The sole surviving tortoise, Ms T (also known as Turpen), was one of five, which arrived on Pitcairn between 1937 and 1951, brought to the island by Irving Johnson, skipper of the 96-foot (29 m) Brigantine Yankee. Turpen usually resides at Tedside by Western Harbour. A protection order makes it an offence should anyone kill, injure, capture, maim or cause harm or distress to the tortoise.[24]

The birds of Pitcairn fall into several groups. These include seabirds, wading birds and a small number of resident land bird species. Of 20 breeding species, Henderson Island has 16, including the unique flightless Henderson Crake; Oeno 12; Ducie 13 and Pitcairn six. Of the birds breeding on Pitcairn the best known are the Fairy Tern, Common Noddy and Red-tailed Tropicbird. The Pitcairn Reed-warbler, known by Pitcairners as a "Sparrow", is endemic to Pitcairn Island; formerly common, it was placed on the endangered species list in 2008.

Important Bird Areas

The four islands in the Pitcairn group have been identified by BirdLife International as separate Important Bird Areas (IBAs). Pitcairn Island itself is recognised because it is the only nesting site of the Pitcairn Reed-warbler. Henderson Island is important for its endemic landbirds as well as its breeding seabirds. Oeno's ornithological significance derives principally from its Murphy's Petrel colony. Ducie is important for its colonies of Murphy's, Herald and Kermadec Petrels, and Christmas Shearwaters.[25]

Economy

Pitcairn Island as seen from a Globe view with other Pacific Islands.

The fertile soil of the Pitcairn valleys, such as Isaac's Valley on the gentle slopes south-east of Adamstown, produces a wide variety of fruits: including bananas (Pitkern: plun), papaya (paw paws), pineapples, mangoes, watermelons, rockmelons, passionfruit, breadfruit, coconuts, avocadoes, and citrus (including oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, lemons and limes); and vegetables include: sweet potatoes (kumura), carrots, sweet corn, tomatoes, taro, yams, peas, and beans. Arrowroot (Tacca leontopetaloides) and sugarcane are grown and harvested to produce arrowroot flour and molasses. Pitcairn Island is remarkably productive and its benign climate allows a wide range of tropical and temperate crops to be grown.[26]

Fish are plentiful in the seas around Pitcairn. Spiny lobster and a large variety of fish are caught for meals and for trading aboard passing ships. Almost every day someone will go fishing, whether it is from the rocks, from a longboat or diving with a spear gun. There are numerous types of fish around the island. Fish such as Nanwee, White Fish, Moi and Opapa are caught in shallow water, while Snapper, Big Eye and Cod are caught in deep water and Yellow Tail and Wahoo are caught by trolling. A range of minerals have been discovered within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends 370 km offshore and comprises 880,000 km2, including manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver and zinc.[27]

Souvenirs

The Pitcairners are involved in creating crafts and curios (made out of wood from Henderson). Typical wood carvings include sharks, fish, whales, dolphins, turtles, vases, birds, walking sticks, book boxes and the famous models of the Bounty. Miro (Thespesia populnea), a dark, durable and beautifully grained wood, is preferred for carving. Islanders also produce exquisite tapa cloth and painted hattie leaves.[28]

Coins and stamps

The major sources of revenue, until recently, have been the sale of coins and postage stamps to collectors, .pn domain names, and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships, most of which are plying the United Kingdom to New Zealand route via the Panama Canal.[29] Trade is restricted by the jagged geography of the island, which lacks a harbour or airstrip, forcing all trade to be made by longboat to visiting ships. Occasionally, passengers from expedition-type cruise ships will come ashore for a day, weather permitting.[30] Tourism is the main focus for building the future economy focusing on small groups coming by charter vessel and staying at "home stays". Providing accommodation is a growing source of revenue and some have invested in building separate self contained units adjacent to their homes.

Honey production

In 1998, the UK Government aid agency, the Department for International Development, funded an apiculture programme for Pitcairn which included training for Pitcairn's beekeepers and a detailed analysis of Pitcairn's bees and honey with particular regard to the presence or not of disease. Pitcairn, it was discovered, has one of the best examples of disease-free bee populations anywhere in the world and the honey produced was and remains exceptionally high in quality. Pitcairn bees were also found to be a particularly placid variety and, within a short time, the beekeepers were able to work with them wearing minimal protection (The Telegraph, 9 January 2010). As a result, Pitcairn today exports its renowned honey to New Zealand and to the United Kingdom, where it is stocked in London by Fortnum and Mason and Partridges in Sloane Square. The honey has become a favourite of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles.[31] The Pitcairn Islanders, under the "Bounty Products" and "Delectable Bounty" brands, also export dried fruit including bananas, papayas, pineapples and mangoes to New Zealand.[32]

Tourism

Tourism plays a major role on Pitcairn providing the locals 80% of their annual income. Since 2009, the Government has been operating the MV Claymore II as the island's only dedicated passenger/cargo vessel providing tourists with adventure tourism holidays to Pitcairn for three- or ten-day visits. Tourists stay with local families and get to experience the island's history while contributing to the local economy. Some families have invested in private self-contained units for tourists to rent. Each year approximately ten cruise ships call at the island for a few hours, generating income for the locals from the sale of souvenirs, landing fees and the stamping of passports. Children under the age of 16 years require a completed entry clearance application in order to visit the island.[33]

Electricity

Electricity on the island is provided by diesel generators operating ten hours per day (from 8 am to 1 pm, and from 5 pm to 10 pm). A wind power plant is planned to be installed in the next year or two, to help reduce the high cost of power generation currently associated with the import of diesel, and provide 24-hour electricity to the islanders at 70 cents per unit

Culture

Language

Main article: Languages of the Pitcairn Islands

The majority of the resident Pitcairn Islanders are the descendants of the Bounty Mutineers and Tahitians (or Polynesians). Pitkern is a creole language derived from 18th century English, with elements of the Tahitian language. It is spoken as a first language by the population and is taught alongside standard English at the island's only school. It is closely related to the creole language Norfuk, spoken on Norfolk Island, because Norfolk was repopulated in the mid-19th century by Pitcairners.

Demographics

In September 2003, a baby was born on the island for the first time in 17 years (Pitcairn Miscellany, 2003). Another child, Adrianna Tracey Christian, was born on Pitcairn on 3 March 2007 (Miscellany, 2007). In February 2005, Shirley and Simon Young became the first married outsider couple in recorded history to obtain citizenship on Pitcairn (Miscellany, March 2005). Since 2001, a significant proportion of the Pitcairn population (21 people) has been given a Personal Public Service Number in Ireland, which is required for work, taxes and social benefits.[34]

Religion

A successful Seventh-day Adventist mission in the 1890s was important in shaping Pitcairn society. In recent years, the church has declined, with only about eight islanders worshipping regularly, but most of them still attend church on special occasions.[35] The Sabbath is observed as a day of rest and as a mark of respect for observant Adventists.

The church which was built in 1954, is run by the Church board and resident pastor, who usually serves a two-year term. The Sabbath School meets at 10 am on Saturday mornings and is followed by Divine Service an hour later. On Tuesday evenings there is a further service in the form of a prayer meeting.

Society

The once-strict moral codes, which prohibited dancing, public displays of affection, smoking, and consumption of alcohol, have been relaxed in recent years. Islanders and visitors no longer require a six-month licence to purchase, import, and consume alcohol (Pitcairn Island Government Ordinance). There is now one licensed cafe and bar on the island, and the Government Store sells alcohol and cigarettes.

The unique cuisine and rich cultural heritage of the Pitcairn Islanders is detailed in a cookbook: "A Taste of Pitcairn: The First Pitcairn Island Cookbook", by Pitcairn resident Meralda Warren (updated ed. 2005).

Fishing and swimming are two popular recreational activities. A birthday celebration or the arrival of a ship or yacht will involve the entire Pitcairn community in a public dinner in the Square, Adamstown. Tables are covered in a variety of foods, including fish, meat, chicken, philhi, baked rice, boiled plun (banana), breadfruit, vegetable dishes, an assortment of pies, bread, breadsticks, an array of desserts, pineapple, watermelon and more.

Public work, which by law is required of all men and women between the ages of 16 and 65, ensures the ongoing maintenance of the island's numerous roads and paths. The island has a labour force of over 35 men and women (as of 2011).[3]

Education

Education is free and compulsory between the ages of five and 16.[36] All of Pitcairn's seven children were enrolled in school in 2000.[36] The island's children have produced a book in Pitkern and English called "Mi Bas Side orn Pitcairn=My Favourite Place on Pitcairn" (National Library of New Zealand Catalogue).

The school at Pulau provides pre-school and primary education based on the New Zealand syllabus. The teacher is appointed by the Governor from suitable qualified applicants who are New Zealand registered teachers. The contract includes the role of Editor of the Pitcairn Miscellany.

Historical population

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be and removed. (January 2012)
Pitcairn Islanders, 1916

Pitcairn's population has drastically decreased since its peak of over 250 in 1936 to 67 in 2011.

Year Population Year Population Year Population Year Population Year Population
1790 27 1880 112 1970 96 1992 54 2002 48
1800 34 1890 136 1975 74 1993 57 2003 59
1810 50 1900 136 1980 61 1994 54 2004 65
1820 66 1910 140 1985 58 1995 55 2005 63
1830 70 1920 163 1986 68 1996 43 2006 65
1840 119 1930 190 1987 59 1997 40 2007 64
1850 146 1936 250 1988 55 1998 66 2008 66
1856* 193 1940 163 1989 55 1999 46 2009 67
1859** 16 1950 161 1990 59 2000 51 2010 64
1870 70 1960 126 1991 66 2001 44 2011 67

* 1856 Emigration to Norfolk Island leaves Pitcairn uninhabited. ** 1859 First group returns from Norfolk Island.

Media and communications

Transport

The settlers of the Pitcairns all arrived by some form of boat or ship.

Pitcairn Island does not have an airport or seaport; the islanders rely on longboats to ferry people and goods between ship and shore through Bounty Bay. The island has one small harbour and launch ramp that is used to dock and load long-boats. Because it is small and the water is shallow, only small-craft can fit (Pitkern Ilan, David Evans, 2007).

A dedicated passenger/cargo supply ship chartered by the Pitcairn Island Government, the MV Claymore II, is the principal transport from Mangareva, Gambier Islands, French Polynesia.

Mangareva is reachable by air from the French Polynesian capital Papeete (Lonely Planet South Pacific, 3rd ed. 2006, "Pitcairn Getting There" pp. 429–30).

There is one 6.4-kilometre (4 mi) paved road leading up from Bounty Bay through Adamstown.

The main mode of transport on Pitcairn Islands is by four-wheel-drive quad bikes. There are also two cars on the island.

Climate

Pitcairn is located just under the Tropic of Capricorn and enjoys year round warm weather. Summer temperatures average 25–35 degrees Celsius from the months of October through to April, while the winter months range from 17 degrees to 25. The average humidity in summer can exceed 95%. The rainy season is from November through to March.

Gallery

See also

Geography portal
United Kingdom portal

References

  1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary
  2. ^ "‪Pitcairn Islands: UK's most remote territory‬‏". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwhWwVWYmPQ&feature=related. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "CIA World Factbook – Pitcairn Islands". The World Factbook. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pc.html. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  4. ^ "United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories". United Nations. 14 December 1960. http://www.un.org/Depts/dpi/decolonization/trust3.htm. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  5. ^ Diamond, Jared M (2005). Collapse: how societies choose to fail or succeed. New York: Penguin. p. 132. ISBN 9780143036555. OCLC 62868295. "But by A.D. 1606 ... Henderson’s population had ceased to exist. Pitcairn’s own population had disappeared at least by 1790 ... and probably disappeared much earlier."
  6. ^ Pitcairn Islands, "History of Government and Laws, Part 15" 30 September 2006
  7. ^ Hooker, Brian. "Down with Bligh – hurrah for Tahiti". Finding New Zealand. http://www.findingnz.co.nz/al/gal1_bounty.htm.
  8. ^ Winthrop, Mark. "The Story of the Bounty Chronometer". Lareau Web Parlour. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927005607/http://www.lareau.org/chrono.html. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
  9. ^ "Mutineers of the Bounty". The European Magazine, and London Review (Philological Society of London,) 69: 134. January–June 1816. http://books.google.com/?id=mOwRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA62#PPA134,M1.
  10. ^ Staff. The Annual Biography and Obituary for the Year ..., Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1831, Volume 15 "Chapter X Sir Thomas Staines" pp. 366–367
  11. ^ History of Pitcairn Island, Pitcairn Study Centre. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
  12. ^ "Pitcairn descendants of the ''Bounty'' Mutineers". Janesoceania.com. 29 April 2009. http://www.janesoceania.com/oceania_pitcairn_descendants/index.htm. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  13. ^ Cahoon, Ben. "Pitcairn Island". worldstatesmen.org. http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Pitcairn.htm. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  14. ^ Tweedie, Neil (5 Oct 2004). "Islander changes his plea to admit sex assaults". The Telegraph (London: Telegraph media group Ltd.). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/pitcairnislands/1473399/Islander-changes-his-plea-to-admit-sex-assaults.html. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  15. ^ Fickling, David (26 October 2004). "Six found guilty in Pitcairn sex offences trial". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/oct/26/davidfickling. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  16. ^ "Six guilty in Pitcairn sex trial". BBC. 25 October 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/3950033.stm. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  17. ^ "6 men convicted in Pitcairn trials". New York Times. 24 October 2004. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/25/world/25iht-pitcaIRN.html. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  18. ^ Marks, Kathy (25 May 2005). "Pitcairners stay free till British hearing". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10127299. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  19. ^ Marks, Kathy (2009). Lost paradise: from Mutiny on the Bounty to a modern-day legacy of sexual mayhem, the dark secrets of Pitcairn island revealed. Free Press. pp. 288. ISBN 1416597441.
  20. ^ "Last Pitcairn rape prisoner released". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 April 2009. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/last-pitcairn-rape-prisoner-released-20090423-afkt.html. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  21. ^ Presenter: Paul Allen Speaker: Pitcairn Island Governor, George Fergusson. Pitcairn Island proclaims new constitution. Radio Australia, 11 March 2010
  22. ^ "Home." Government of the Pitcairn Islands. Retrieved on 31 October 2011.
  23. ^ Pitcairn Islands Environment Management Plan, 2008.
  24. ^ Endangered Species Protection Ordinance, 2004 revised edition.
  25. ^ BirdLife International. (2012). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Pitcairn Island. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 2012-01-21.
  26. ^ Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC): Pitcairn Islands-Joint Country Strategy, 2008.
  27. ^ Commonwealth Secretariat Yearbook 2010: Pitcairn Economy.
  28. ^ Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Profile on Pitcairn Islands, British Overseas Territory, 11 February 2010.
  29. ^ Pitcairn Island Report prepared by Jaques and Associates, 2003 p. 18.
  30. ^ Jaques, p. 21.
  31. ^ "I'll let you off, Mr Christian: you make honey fit for a queen", Evening Standard, 8 January 2010.
  32. ^ Pitcairn Islands Study Center, News Release: Products from Pitcairn, 7 November 1999.
  33. ^ Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Travel Advice: Pitcairn (British Overseas Territory)
  34. ^ "Personal Public Service Numbers -Allocation By Nationality-All Countries 2000–2009 » PPSN » Topics » Department of Social Protection". Welfare.ie. 6 January 2010. http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Topics/PPSN/Pages/ppsn_all_years.aspx. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  35. ^ "Turning Point for Historic Adventist Community on Pitcairn Island" 30 September 2006
  36. ^ a b "Territories and Non-Independent Countries". 2001 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor. Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor (2002). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  37. ^ "iPad Makes Its Way to the Farthest Reaches of the Earth" MacRumors.com, retrieved 3 November 2010

Further reading

The Mutiny on the Bounty

After the Mutiny

Pitcairn Island Today

External links

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Travel to Pitcairn

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Coordinates: 25°04′S 130°06′W / 25.067°S 130.1°W

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Dance 'aparima · cibi · fara · fire dancing · firewalking · haka · hivinau · hula · kailao · kapa haka · Kiribati · meke · 'ote'a · pa'o'a · poi · Rotuma · siva · Tahiti · tāmūrē · tautoga · Tonga · 'upa'upa
Festivals Australia's Garma Festival · Hawaiʻi's Aloha Festivals, Merrie Monarch Festival, and World Invitational Hula Festival · Fiji · New Zealand's Pasifika Festival · The Pacific Community's Festival of Pacific Arts · Festivals in Papua New Guinea
Languages
by area
Languages of Oceania
Sovereign states
Dependencies and other territories
by category Languages of Oceania
Literature
Literature of Oceania
Sovereign states
Dependencies and other territories
  • American Samoa
  • Christmas Island
  • Cocos (Keeling) Islands
  • Cook Islands
  • Easter Island
  • French Polynesia
  • Guam
  • Hawaii
  • New Caledonia
  • Niue
  • Norfolk Island
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Tokelau
  • Wallis and Futuna
Music Austral Islands (French Polynesia) · Australia · Austronesia · Cook Islands · Easter Island · Fiji · Guam · Hawaiʻi · Kiribati · Lali · Māori · Melanesia · Northern Mariana Islands · Micronesia · Federated States of Micronesia · Nauru · New Caledonia · New Zealand · Niue · Palau · Papua New Guinea · Polynesia · Sāmoa · Slit drum · Solomon Islands · Tahiti · Tokelau · Tonga · Tuvalu · Vanuatu · Wallis and Futuna
Mythology Australian Aboriginal · Fijian · Māori · Melanesian · Menehune · Micronesian · Oceanian legendary creatures · Polynesian · Rapa Nui · Vanuatu
People Indigneous Australian · Austronesian · Chamorro · Chatham Islander (Moriori or Rekohu) · Fijian · Hawaiian (kānaka maoli) · Māori · Marshallese · Melanesian · Micronesian · Negrito · Norfolk Islander · Papuan · Polynesian · Indigenous Polynesian (Mā’ohi) · Rapanui · Rotuman · Samoan · Tahitian · Tongan · Torres Strait Islander
Religion
Religion in Oceania
Sovereign states
Dependencies and other territories
  • American Samoa
  • Christmas Island
  • Cocos (Keeling) Islands
  • Cook Islands
  • Easter Island
  • French Polynesia
  • Guam
  • Hawaii
  • New Caledonia
  • Niue
  • Norfolk Island
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Tokelau
  • Wallis and Futuna
Not included: Oceanian: cinema, (indigenous) currency, dress, folkore, cuisine. Also see Category:Oceanian culture.
Polynesia
Polynesian triangle
Polynesian outliers
Polynesian-influenced
World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
British Overseas Territories
British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations

Legend Current territory · Former territory * now a Commonwealth realm · now a member of the Commonwealth of Nations

Europe

18th century 1708–1757 Minorca since 1713 Gibraltar 1763–1782 Minorca 1798–1802 Minorca

19th century 1800–1964 Malta 1807–1890 Heligoland 1809–1864 Ionian Islands

20th century 1921–1937 Irish Free State

North America

17th century 1583–1907 Newfoundland 1605–1979 *Saint Lucia 1607–1776 Virginia since 1619 Bermuda 1620–1691 Plymouth Colony 1623–1883 Saint Kitts (*Saint Kitts & Nevis) 1624–1966 *Barbados 1625–1650 Saint Croix 1627–1979 *St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1628–1883 Nevis (*Saint Kitts & Nevis) 1629–1691 Massachusetts Bay Colony 1632–1776 Maryland since 1632 Montserrat 1632–1860 Antigua (*Antigua & Barbuda) 1636–1776 Connecticut 1636–1776 Rhode Island 1637–1662 New Haven Colony 1643–1860 Bay Islands since 1650 Anguilla 1655–1850 Mosquito Coast (protectorate) 1655–1962 *Jamaica 1663–1712 Carolina 1664–1776 New York 1665–1674 and 1702-1776 New Jersey since 1666 British Virgin Islands since 1670 Cayman Islands 1670–1973 *Bahamas 1670–1870 Rupert's Land 1671–1816 Leeward Islands 1674–1702 East Jersey 1674–1702 West Jersey 1680–1776 New Hampshire 1681–1776 Pennsylvania 1686–1689 Dominion of New England 1691–1776 Massachusetts

18th century 1701–1776 Delaware 1712–1776 North Carolina 1712–1776 South Carolina 1713–1867 Nova Scotia 1733–1776 Georgia 1762–1974 *Grenada 1763–1978 Dominica 1763–1873 Prince Edward Island 1763–1791 Quebec 1763–1783 East Florida 1763–1783 West Florida 1784–1867 New Brunswick 1791–1841 Lower Canada 1791–1841 Upper Canada since 1799 Turks and Caicos Islands

19th century 1818–1846 Columbia District / Oregon Country1 1833–1960 Windward Islands 1833–1960 Leeward Islands 1841–1867 Province of Canada 1849–1866 Vancouver Island 1853–1863 Colony of the Queen Charlotte Islands 1858–1866 British Columbia 1859–1870 North-Western Territory 1860–1981 *British Antigua and Barbuda 1862–1863 Stikine Territory 1866–1871 Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1867–1931 *Dominion of Canada2 1871–1964 British Honduras (*Belize) 1882–1983 *St. Kitts and Nevis 1889–1962 Trinidad and Tobago 20th century 1907–1949 Dominion of Newfoundland3 1958–1962 West Indies Federation

1Occupied jointly with the United States 2In 1931, Canada and other British dominions obtained self-government through the Statute of Westminster. see Canada's name. 3Gave up self-rule in 1934, but remained a de jure Dominion until it joined Canada in 1949.

South America

17th century 1651–1667 Willoughbyland (Suriname) 1670–1688 St. Andrew and Providence Islands4

18th century

19th century 1831–1966 British Guiana (Guyana) since 1833 Falkland Islands5 20th century since 1908 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands5

4Now the San Andrés y Providencia Department of Colombia 5Occupied by Argentina during the Falklands War of April–June 1982

Africa

18th century 1792–1961 Sierra Leone 1795–1803 Cape Colony

19th century 1806–1910 Cape Colony 1810–1968 Mauritius 1816–1965 Gambia 1856–1910 Natal 1868–1966 Basutoland (Lesotho) 1874–1957 Gold Coast (Ghana) 1882–1922 Egypt 1884–1966 Bechuanaland (Botswana) 1884–1960 British Somaliland 1887–1897 Zululand 1888–1894 Matabeleland 1890–1965 Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) 6 1890–1962 Uganda 1890–1963 Zanzibar (Tanzania) 1891–1964 Nyasaland (Malawi) 1891–1907 British Central Africa Protectorate 1893–1968 Swaziland 1895–1920 East Africa Protectorate 1899–1956 Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

20th century 1900–1914 Northern Nigeria 1900–1914 Southern Nigeria 1900–1910 Orange River Colony 1900–1910 Transvaal Colony 1906–1954 Nigeria Colony 1910–1931 South Africa 1911–1964 Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) 1914–1954 Nigeria Colony and Protectorate 1915–1931 South West Africa (Namibia) 1919–1960 Cameroons (Cameroon) 7 1920–1963 Kenya 1922–1961 Tanganyika (Tanzania) 7 1954–1960 Nigeria 1979–1980 Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) 6

6Southern Rhodesia, self-governing from 1923, issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence on 11 November 1965, as Rhodesia. It returned to British control in December 1979. 7League of Nations mandate

Asia

17th Century 1685-1824 Bencoolen (Sumatra)

18th century 1702–1705 Côn Đảo 1757–1947 Bengal (West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh) 1762–1764 Manila 1795–1948 Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 1796–1965 Maldives

19th century 1812-1824 Banka (Sumatra) 1812-1824 Billiton (Sumatra) 1819–1826 British Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore) 1824-1946 Straits Settlement of Malacca

1826–1946 Straits Settlements 1839–1967 Colony of Aden 1839–1842 Afghanistan 1841–1997 Hong Kong 1841–1946 Kingdom of Sarawak (Malaysia) 1848-1946 Crown colony of Labuan

1858–1947 British India (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Burma) 1879–1919 Afghanistan 1882–1963 British North Borneo (Malaysia) 1885–1946 Unfederated Malay States 1888–1984 Sultanate of Brunei 1888–1946 Sultanate of Sulu 1891–1971 Muscat and Oman protectorate 1892–1971 Trucial States protectorate 1895–1946 Federated Malay States 1898–1930 Weihai Garrison 1878–1960 Cyprus

20th century 1918–1961 Kuwait protectorate 1920–1932 Iraq7 1921–1946 Transjordan7 1923–1948 Palestine7 1945–1946 South Vietnam 1946–1963 Sarawak (Malaysia) 1946–1963 Singapore 1946–1948 Malayan Union 1948–1957 Federation of Malaya (Malaysia) since 1960 Akrotiri and Dhekelia (before as part of Cyprus) since 1965 British Indian Ocean Territory (before as part of Mauritius and the Seychelles)

7League of Nations mandate

Oceania

18th century 1788–1901 New South Wales

19th century 1803–1901 Van Diemen's Land/Tasmania 1807–1863 Auckland Islands8 1824–1980 New Hebrides (Vanuatu) 1824–1901 Queensland 1829–1901 Swan River Colony/Western Australia 1836–1901 South Australia since 1838 Pitcairn Islands 1841–1907 Colony of New Zealand 1851–1901 Victoria 1874–1970 Fiji9 1877–1976 British Western Pacific Territories 1884–1949 Territory of Papua 1888–1965 Cook Islands8 1889–1948 Union Islands (Tokelau)8 1892–1979 Gilbert and Ellice Islands10 1893–1978 British Solomon Islands11

20th century 1900–1970 Tonga (protected state) 1900–1974 Niue8 1901–1942 *Commonwealth of Australia 1907–1953 *Dominion of New Zealand 1919–1942 Nauru 1945–1968 Nauru 1919–1949 Territory of New Guinea 1949–1975 Territory of Papua and New Guinea12

8Now part of the *Realm of New Zealand 9Suspended member 10Now Kiribati and *Tuvalu 11Now the *Solomon Islands 12Now *Papua New Guinea

Antarctica and South Atlantic

17th century since 1659 St. Helena13

19th century since 1815 Ascension Island13 since 1816 Tristan da Cunha13

20th century since 1908 British Antarctic Territory14

13Since 2009 part of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; Ascension Island (1922—) and Tristan da Cunha (1938—) were previously dependencies of St Helena 14Both claimed in 1908; territories formed in 1962 (British Antarctic Territory) and 1985 (South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

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Google Images Search: pitcairn islands,
Tue Jan 10 02:06:15 2012
Four men in a boat to recreate Bounty captain's fateful voyage - Independent
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Four men in a boat to recreate Bounty captain's fateful voyage

Independent

Christian established a colony at Pitcairn where descendants of the mutinous crew still live. *From the log of HMS Bounty, dated Tuesday at Sea, ...



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Tue Jan 10 02:06:16 2012
Maps of Pitcairn Islands - Pitcairn Flags, Maps, Economy ...
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Pitcairn Islands Maps of the World - Interactive World Fact Book - Pitcairn Flags, Maps, Economy, Geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International ...
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Web Search: "pitcairn islands",
Tue Jan 10 02:06:17 2012
Doctor Who theme, player piano
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Doctor Who theme, player piano

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:38:22 PST

I made this arrangement 20 years ago for computer-controlled piano, but this is the first time I've been able to hear it on an actual computer ... youtube.com.

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Thu Sep 15 18:55:56 2011
 Pitcairn Island - GetJealous.com Travel Blogs
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Pitcairn Island - GetJealous.com Travel Blogs

unknown

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GM

Another remote destination today, the . Pitcairn Islands. are a group of four Ducie, Henderson, Oeno and Pitcairn itself, which was to be our highlight of the day. Set amid an arc of unspoiled coral reef in the...

Google Blogs Search: pitcairn islands,
Thu Sep 15 18:55:57 2011
Could Britain defend its overseas territories?
Q. A lot has changed since the days of empire, what would happen if someone invaded say the Pitcairn Islands or some other remote group, would Britain do anything? could it do anything? I note that there's no bases or anything left in most corners of the world, would it simply relinquish control? seems sad because France still has overseas squadrons, French Polynesia has a sizable naval squadron and yet the British territory has nothing defending it xx
Asked by Your boss does use Y!A - Thu Jul 9 10:08:40 2009 - - 12 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Regrettably the Falklands campaign was probably the last occasion when the UK was in a position to defend a far flung territory, and if the Argentinians had waited a few months for John Notts (conservative party) defence cuts to take effect, we probaly wouldnt have been able to do that either. Our current commitments to war fighting and peacekeeping activities, plus a chronic lack of equipment mean that we are currently too stretched to defend anything any further than the Isle of Wight without help.
Answered by Snowy - Thu Jul 9 10:44:01 2009

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