Pitcairn Island

Only inhabited island in the Pitcairn Islands, British Overseas Territories

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″S 130°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 inhabitants are descendants of mutineers of HMS Bounty.[1]

## Geography

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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

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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

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

## References

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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

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Media related to Pitcairn Island at Wikimedia Commons

* Pacific Union College History of Pitcairn Island

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Pitcairn Islands articles

Islands|

* Ducie
* Henderson
* Oeno
* Pitcairn

Settlement|

* Adamstown

Politics|

* Council
* Governors
* Law enforcement
* Rulers

Culture|

| Symbols|

* Anthem
* Bounty Bible
* Dollar (commemorative currency)
* Flag and coat of arms
* Postage stamps

|

Other topics|

* Birds
* Demographics
* Geography
* History
* Internet domain
* Languages
* Pitkern
* Pitcairn Islanders
* Pulau School

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