Communications: Broadcast media
1 local radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available via satellite (2009)
Communications: Internet country code
.nf
Communications: Internet users: percent of population
46.1% (2021 est.)
Economy: Agricultural products
Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry
Economy: Exchange rates: Currency
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2020
1.453 (2020 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2021
1.331 (2021 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2022
1.442 (2022 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2023
1.505 (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2024
1.515 (2024 est.)
Economy: Exports - commodities
pine seeds, lumber, cars and vehicle parts, soybeans, lactose syrup (2021)
Economy: Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, plastics, electrical lighting/signalling equipment, cars, machinery (2023)
Environment: Climate
subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Environment: Environmental issues
inadequate solid-waste management; most freshwater obtained through rainwater catchment; preservation of unique ecosystem
Environment: Land use: agricultural land
25% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 25% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: forest
12.2% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: other
62.8% (2023 est.)
Geography: Area - comparative
about 0.2 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Geography: Area: land
36 sq km
Geography: Area: water
0 sq km
Geography: Coastline
32 km
Geography: Elevation: highest point
Mount Bates 319 m
Geography: Elevation: lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
Geography: Geographic coordinates
29 02 S, 167 57 E
Geography: Geography - note
most of the 32-km (20-mi) coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is located
Geography: Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Geography: Land boundaries: total
0 km
Geography: Land use: agricultural land
25% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 25% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: forest
12.2% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: other
62.8% (2023 est.)
Geography: Map references
Oceania
Geography: Maritime claims: contiguous zone
24 nm
Geography: Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Geography: Maritime claims: territorial sea
12 nm
Geography: Natural hazards
tropical cyclones (especially May to July)
Geography: Population distribution
population concentrated around the capital of Kingston
Geography: Terrain
volcanic island with mostly rolling plains
Government: Capital: daylight saving time
+1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April
Government: Capital: etymology
the name blends the words "king's" and "town;" the English king at the time of the town's settlement in the late 18th century was GEORGE III
Government: Capital: geographic coordinates
29 03 S, 167 58 E
Government: Capital: time difference
UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Government: Citizenship
see Australia
Government: Constitution: history
previous 1913, 1957; latest effective 7 August 1979
Government: Country name: conventional short form
Norfolk Island
Government: Country name: etymology
named by British explorer Captain James COOK after Edward HOWARD, the ninth Duke of Norfolk, in 1774
Government: Dependency status
administered as a territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities, & Regional Development
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy
none (territory of Australia)
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Government: Executive branch: chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sam MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024)
Government: Executive branch: election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
Government: Executive branch: head of government
Administrator George PLANT (since 1 June 2023)
Government: Flag
description: three vertical bands of green (left side), white, and green, with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered on the white band meaning: green stands for the island's rich vegetation, and the native pine tree is an island symbol
Government: International organization participation
UPU
Government: Judicial branch: highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Norfolk Island (consists of the chief justice and several justices)
Government: Judicial branch: judge selection and term of office
justices appointed by the governor general of Australia from among justices of the Federal Court of Australia; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
Government: Judicial branch: subordinate courts
Petty Court of Sessions; specialized courts, including a Coroner's Court and the Employment Tribunal
Government: Legal system
English common law and the laws of Australia
Government: Legislative branch: electoral system
plurality/majority
Government: Legislative branch: expected date of next election
March 2021 (postponed)
Government: Legislative branch: legislative structure
unicameral
Government: Legislative branch: legislature name
Norfolk Island Regional Council
Government: Legislative branch: most recent election date
5/28/2016
Government: Legislative branch: number of seats
5 (directly elected)
Government: Legislative branch: parties elected and seats per party
independent (5)
Government: Legislative branch: percentage of women in chamber
20%
Government: Legislative branch: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch: term in office
4 years
Government: National anthem(s): history
royal anthem, as an Australian overseas territory
Government: National anthem(s): lyrics/music
unknown
Government: National coat of arms
Norfolk Island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, and in 1980, Queen Elizabeth II granted it a separate coat of arms (pictured); in the center is the island’s symbol, the Norfolk Island Pine, with Britain’s lion and Australia’s kangaroo supporting the shield; the island’s motto, “Inasmuch,” comes from a verse in the Bible’s Gospel of Matthew
Government: National holiday
Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856)
Government: National symbol(s)
Norfolk Island pine
Government: Political parties
Norfolk Island Labor Party Norfolk Liberals
Government: Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Introduction: Background
Polynesians lived on Norfolk Island between 1200 and 1500, but the remote island was uninhabited by the time British explorer James COOK landed on the island in 1774. Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, almost 200 Pitcairn Islanders -- descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions -- were relocated to Norfolk Island because of overcrowding on the Pitcairn Islands. Some returned to the Pitcairn Islands over the next few years, but most settled permanently on Norfolk Island and recreated their previous land tenure and governance structures. Norfolk Island retained a great degree of local control until 1897, when it became a dependency of New South Wales. During World War II, Norfolk Island was an airbase and an important refueling stop in the South Pacific. In 1976, an Australian judge recommended Norfolk Island be incorporated fully into Australia, which Norfolk Islanders rejected. After an appeal to the UN, Australia granted limited self-government to Norfolk Island in 1979. With growing financial troubles during the 2000s, Australia abolished the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly in 2015, reduced Norfolk Island’s autonomy in 2016, and suspended the local council in 2020. Most services are provided by a mix of the Australian Capital Territory and the states of New South Wales and Queensland. These moves were unpopular on Norfolk Island, which has sought to have its self-government restored and as of 2024, the Australian Government was working with Norfolk Island to establish a new local governing body.
Military and Security: Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
People and Society: Ethnic groups
Australian 22.8%, English 22.4%, Pitcairn Islander 20%, Scottish 6%, Irish 5.2% (2011 est.)
People and Society: Nationality: adjective
Norfolk Islander(s)
People and Society: Population distribution
population concentrated around the capital of Kingston
People and Society: Population growth rate
0.01% (2014 est.)
People and Society: Population: female
916
People and Society: Population: male
823
Transportation: Airports
1 (2025)
Transportation: Ports: key ports
Kingston
Transportation: Ports: large
0
Transportation: Ports: medium
0
Transportation: Ports: ports with oil terminals
1
Transportation: Ports: small
0
Transportation: Ports: total ports
1 (2024)
Transportation: Ports: very small
1
Warning: Some information might be outdated or incorrect, please check statistics before using(most of the economical stats are correct, its mostly the Population stats that are incorrect). Some dates are listed but some are missed, if you have any issues please report it to the Github at github.com.