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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 34 kmē. 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 2 000. 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.
Although Norfolk Islanders hold Australian citizenship and travel on Australian passports, Australian citizens and residents
from other parts of the nation do not have automatic right of residence on the island.
Australian citizens travelling to Norfolk Island must either carry a passport or a permit to travel to Norfolk Island
(available at Australia Post outlets). Citizens of all other nations must carry a passport to travel to Norfolk Island even if
arriving from other parts of Australia.
Residency on Norfolk Island is normally granted in a manner similar to most sovereign nations today - sponsorship must be made
by an existing resident of Norfolk Island or a business operating on the island.
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."
- Geography of Norfolk Island
- Demographics of Norfolk Island
- Politics of Norfolk Island
- Economy of Norfolk Island
- Communications on Norfolk
Island
- Transportation on Norfolk
Island
- Military of Norfolk Island
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