Pitcairn Islands

The Pitcairn Islands are a remote British Overseas Territory in the southeast Pacific. Only Pitcairn Island is settled; Adamstown is its administrative centre.

Find Pitcairn Islands

● Administrative centre · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.

At a glance

Administrative centre: Adamstown
Languages: English & Pitkern
Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Population: Around 502025 · approximate figure in a Pitcairn Government publication
Area: 47 km²18.15 square miles
Status: British Overseas TerritoryThe group includes Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno.

Pitcairn Islands in context

Oceania and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Adamstown; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & languages

Physical geography

Rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs.

Languages

English is used in official business. Pitkern is a local language with English and Tahitian roots.

Location

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between Peru and New Zealand.

Flag

Blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the green field features a yellow anchor with a Bible over it (both were on the HMS Bounty ); a Pitcairn Island wheelbarrow is on the crest, with a flowering twig of miro (a local plant)

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Pitcairn Government · population, 2025 · Pitcairn Government

History & status

Pitcairn had earlier Polynesian inhabitants before the arrival of Bounty mutineers and their Polynesian companions in 1790. It became a British colony in 1838. Most residents moved to Norfolk Island in 1856, but some later returned. Today the territory comprises Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno; only Pitcairn has a settled population.

1790
Bounty mutineers and their Polynesian companions settle on Pitcairn
1838
Pitcairn becomes a British colony
1856
Most residents move to Norfolk Island

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Pitcairn Government · population, 2025 · Pitcairn Government

Economy

Main activities

The economy is very small. Public services, UK financial support, tourism, honey, handicrafts and sales to visiting vessels contribute to income. Remote access by sea and a tiny workforce limit the scale of commercial activity. The surrounding marine reserve is important for conservation and research.

Industry and production

Public services, honey, handicrafts and small-scale visitor services.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Pitcairn Government · population, 2025 · Pitcairn Government

Population

Around 50 · 2025 · approximate figure in a Pitcairn Government publication

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Pitcairn Government · population, 2025 · Pitcairn Government

Government

A British Overseas Territory. A Governor represents the British monarch, while an Island Council and Mayor manage local affairs. The UK retains constitutional and external responsibilities and provides financial support.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Pitcairn Government · population, 2025 · Pitcairn Government

Knowledge check

Three questions about Pitcairn Islands.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

What is the administrative centre of Pitcairn Islands?

Sources & notes

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Pitcairn Government · population, 2025 · Pitcairn Government

Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.

Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.