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The British colony of Pitcairn is made up of 4 islands: Pitcairn (4.6 sq km), Ducie (0.7 sq km), Henderson (37.3 sq km) and Oeno (0.65 sq km) of which only one, Pitcairn, is inhabited. Pitcairn Island is one of the most remote inhabited places on the planet. This island is isolated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The closest lands are the Gambier Islands belonging to French Polynesia which are located about 500 km to the west. While to the east the closest island is the equally isolated Easter Island which is about 2,000 km away.
A ROCK ISOLATED IN THE PACIFIC
Pitcairn Island, located in the South Pacific Ocean, just south of the Tropic of Capricorn, is a British colony. Adamstown is the only inhabited center on the island. The island is of volcanic origin and is characterized by a wild coast with steep cliffs overlooking the sea and a harsh and hilly interior. The island reaches its maximum height with the Pawala Valley Ridge (347 meters).
The land is quite fertile and suitable for agriculture, where coconut palms, banana trees, oranges are grown. Other economic activities are fishing and crafts. The island was discovered in 1767, by the English captain, Philip Carteret, the name Pitcairn was that of the sailor who first sighted the island.
The inhabitants are the descendants of the mutineed sailors of the Bounty ship and of the Tahitian women who followed them, who landed there in 1790. The remains of the ship (the bell and the anchor), which was sunk by the sailors themselves, were found in 1957 at the southern end of the island, they are now visible in Adamstown square.
Henderson Island, an atoll located about 150 km north-east of Pitcairn, has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a total population of less than 50 people, Pitcairn is the nation, although it is not an independent state, least populated in the world.
The Government of Pitcairn Island. Pitcairn declared International Dark Sky Sanctuary.
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- Area: 43,25 sqkm (62,45 sqkm including internal waters of lagoons). Pitcairn (4,6 sqkm), Ducie (0,7 sqkm), Henderson (37,3 sqkm), Oeno (0,65 sqkm).
- Population: 50 (2007 data) (Mixed English-Tahitian descendants of the Mutiny of the Bounty 100%).
- Capital: Adamstown.
- Languages: Official languages are English and Pitkern.
- Religion: Christian 100% (Seventh-day Adventist 100%).
- Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD).
- Time: UTC -8 hours.
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