Norfolk Island

A newer version of this article is available: see Norfolk Island at Schools Wikipedia

Norfolk Island is an island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and Noumea, and is one of Australia's few external territories. The island is 34km². The Norfolk Island pine, also pictured in the flag, is a very striking tree that originates from the island and is quite popular in Australia.

Geography

The island's highest point is Mount Bates (319 metres above sea level), located roughly in the centre of the island. The majority of the terrain is suitable for farming and other agricultural uses. The coastline of the island consists, to varying degrees, of cliff faces. A downwards slope exists towards Sydney Bay and Emily Bay, the site of the original colonial settlement of Kingston. There are no safe harbour facilities on Norfolk Island, with loading jetties existing at Kingston and Cascade Bay. All goods not domestically produced are brought in by ship, usually to Cascade Bay. Emily Bay, protected from the Pacific Ocean by a small coral reef, is the only safe area for recreational swimming, although surfing is sometimes done at Ball Bay.

Demographics and Population

The population of Norfolk Island is small, approximately 2000. This number is swelled by tourists, predominantly from neighbouring Pacific states such as Australia and New Zealand. Emigration is growing as many Islanders take advantage of the close ties between Norfolk and Australia and New Zealand. The one school on the island provides education to Australian Year 12, therefore any student seeking to complete tertiary study must travel overseas. Additionally, the small economy of the island causes many skilled workers to emigrate as well. Literacy is not recorded officially, but it can be assumed to be roughly at a par with Australia's literacy rate of 100%. Most Islanders are of Caucasian ancestry, being descendents of the Bounty Mutineers and also more recent Australian/New Zealand arrivals. The Bounty descendents have some Polynesian stock, however only a minority consider themselves ethnically Polynesian.

Religion

The majority of Islanders are Protestant Christians, with 37.4% identifying as Anglican, 14.5% as Uniting Church and 3.1% as Seventh-Day Adventist. 11.5% are Roman Catholic.

Language

Islanders speak both English and a language known as "Norfuk," a blend of 1700s-English and Tahitian. The Norfuk language is decreasing in popularity as more tourists travel to the island and more young people leave for work and study reasons, however there are efforts to keep it alive via dictionaries and the renaming of some tourist attractions to their Norfuk equivalents.

Politics

Politically, Norfolk Island is governed via the Australian Department of Environment, Sport and Territories through an Administrator appointed by the Australian Government. The current Administrator is Grant Tambling. Islanders also have a Legislative Assembly elected by popular vote for a term of not more than 3 years. The Assembly contains 9 seats, with all electors having 9 equal votes but only being able to give 4 of them to any individual candidate. Four of the members of the Assembly form the Executive Council, which acts as an advisory body to the Administrator. The current Chief Minister of Norfolk Island is Geoffrey Robert Gardner. All seats are held by Independent candidates as Norfolk Island does not have any political parties.

Administrative Divisions

The major settlement on the Island is Burnt Pine, located predominantly along Taylor's Road. Settlement also exists in the Cascade region, famous for having the only street lighting on the island. Given the size of the island, it is debatable whether or not Cascade is a separate settlement. Government House, the official residence of the Administrator, is located on Quality Row in what was the penal settlement of Kingston. Kingston's role is largely a ceremonial one, however, with most of the political and economic impetus coming from Burnt Pine.

Relations with Australia

Controversy exists as to the exact status of Norfolk Island, with some Islanders claiming that it was actually granted independence at the time of re-settlement. However, locals have the distinct advantage of not having to pay Australian taxes - creating a kind of tax haven for local and visitor alike.

History

First European known to have sighted the island was Captain James Cook, in 1774, on his second voyage to the South Pacific. There is some evidence of earlier settlement by Polynesians. The British established their first penal colony on the island (1788-1814) to prevent the island falling into French hands. That colony was abandoned when it failed to be self-supporting. A second penal colony was set-up in 1825 and lasted until 1855. Its purpose was one of incarceration of hardened criminals. It is said that convicts went to the gallows glad to be released from the Hell on Earth that was Norfolk Island.

In 1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of Tahitians and the Bounty mutineers.

Miscellaneous

Norfolk Island's most famous resident is novelist Colleen McCullough, whose works include The Thorn Birds and the Masters of Rome series.

Norfolk Island is also home to singer Helen Reddy, famous for the hit "I Am Woman."

Pacific Islands

Other political units

Australia
States and mainland territories
Australian Capital Territory \| New South Wales \| Northern Territory \| Queensland \| South Australia \| Tasmania \| Victoria \| Western Australia
Jervis Bay Territory
External territories
Ashmore and Cartier Islands \| Australian Antarctic Territory \| Christmas Island \| Cocos (Keeling) Islands \| Coral Sea Islands \| Heard Island and McDonald Islands \| Norfolk Island

Commonwealth of Nations