Pitcairn Island

This article is about the island. For the archipelago, see Pitcairn Islands. For the novel, see Pitcairn's Island (novel).

Pitcairn Island

Satellite image
Pitcairn Island Location of Pitcairn Island
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	25°04′00″S130°06′24″W / 25.06667°S 130.10667°W / -25.06667; -130.10667
Archipelago	Pitcairn Islands
Area	4.5 km2 (1.7 sq mi)
Length	3.5 km (2.17 mi)
Width	1.8 km (1.12 mi)
Highest elevation	346 m (1135 ft)
Highest point	Pawala Valley Ridge
Administration
United Kingdom
Demographics
Population	40 (2024)
Pop. density	10/km2 (30/sq mi)

Pitcairn Island is the only inhabited island of the Pitcairn Islands, in the southern Pacific Ocean, of which many of the 40 inhabitants are descendants of mutineers of HMS Bounty. ^[1]

Geography

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 (1,135 ft) 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 (66 to 75 °F). The annual rainfall is 1,800 mm (71 in).^{[ 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.

See also

• History of the Pitcairn Islands
• Mutiny on the Bounty
• Pitcairn Radio Station

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.

External links

Media related to Pitcairn Island at Wikimedia Commons

• Pacific Union College History of Pitcairn Island