Norfolk Island

Island in the Pacific Ocean under Australian administration; area 35 sq km/13 sq mi; population (1996) 2,200. It was inhabited by the Polynesians from about 1200 to 1600. Later uninhabited, it was visited by Captain James Cook in 1774, and was made a penal settlement in 1788. In 1856 it became the home of the descendants of the Bounty mutineers who were moved from Pitcairn Island. Some Pitcairn islanders still live on Norfolk Island. Tourism is important; exports include Norfolk pine seeds, palm seeds, cereals, vegetables, fruit, cattle, and poultry. The chief minister is Geoffrey Robert Gardner, from December 2001.

The coast of the island is steep and rugged, the highest peak being Mount Pitt (320 m/1,050 ft). The island is home to the Norfolk pine (Auraucaria excelsa) which grows to giant size.