Pitcairn Island

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Pitcairn Island
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Pitcairn Island
Geography
Coordinates 25°04′00″S130°06′24″W / 25.06667°S 130.10667°W / -25.06667; -130.10667
Archipelago Pitcairn Islands
Area4.5 km2 (1.7 sq mi)
Length3.5 km (2.17 mi)
Width1.8 km (1.12 mi)
Highest elevation346 m (1135 ft)
Highest pointPawala Valley Ridge
Administration
United Kingdom
Demographics
Population40 (2024)
Pop. density10/km2 (30/sq mi)

Pitcairn Island is the only inhabited island of the Pitcairn Islands, in the southern Pacific Ocean, of which many inhabitants are descendants of mutineers of HMS Bounty. [1]

Contents

Geography

Map of the island; it is about 2 miles across Pitcairn.jpg
Map of the island; it is about 2 miles across

The island is of volcanic origin, with a rugged cliff coastline. Unlike many other South Pacific islands, it is not surrounded by coral reefs that protect the coast. The only access to the island is via a small pier on Bounty Bay. Adamstown is the sole settlement.

Pawala Valley Ridge is the island's highest point at 346 m above sea level.

The volcanic soil and tropical climate with abundant rainfall make the soil productive.

The average temperature ranges from 19 to 24°C. The annual rainfall is 1,800 mm. [ citation needed ]

Fauna

Indigenous fauna consists of insects and lizards. Since their introduction, rats have become an invasive species.

A large number of seabirds nest along the steep shorelines. [2]

As coral reefs are absent, fishing is offshore. Sharks, sea bream, barracudas and tuna are all abundant. Whale migrations are seen yearly.

History and population

See also

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References

  1. Johnson, Christine (2014). "The Identity of Place: Pitcairn Island in Cultural and Historical Geography". University of Nevada, Reno. hdl:11714/2838 . Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  2. Albert, Donald Patrick (3 July 2018). "Did or Could Seabirds "Halo" Pitcairn Island for Fletcher Christian?". Terrae Incognitae. 50 (2): 99–114. doi:10.1080/00822884.2018.1498638. ISSN   0082-2884.