Abstract
Pitcairn Island (1–75 sq. miles; 4–6 sq. km) is situated in the Pacific Ocean, nearly equidistant from New Zealand and Panama (25° 04′ S. lat, 130° 06′ W. long.). It was discovered by Carteret in 1767, but remained uninhabited until 1790, when it was occupied by 10 mutineers of HMS Bounty, with 12 women and 6 men from Tahiti. Nothing was known of their existence until the island was visited in 1808. In 1856 the population having become too large for the island’s resources, the inhabitants (194 in number) were, at their own request, removed to Norfolk Island; but 43 of them returned in 1859–64. The population has been declining and on 31 Dec. 1970 it was approximately 82.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Editor information
Copyright information
© 1972 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Paxton, J. (1972). Pitcairn Island. In: Paxton, J. (eds) The Statesman’s Year-Book. The Statesman’s Yearbook. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230271012_39
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230271012_39
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-27101-2
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)