Pitcairn Islands: The Least Populated Territory

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The Pitcairn Islands are a group of four volcanic islands in the Southern Pacific Ocean, about 3, 300 miles from New Zealand and 3, 700 miles from South America. They are part of the British Overseas Territories, but they have their own constitution and government. Only one of the islands, Pitcairn Island, is inhabited by about 50 people. The island is only two square miles in size, with a rocky coast and a hilly interior. The islanders are descendants of the mutineers of the HMS Bounty who settled there in 1790 with eight other men and 18 Polynesian women. They speak English and Pitkern, a creole language derived from English and Tahitian. They live mostly on fishing, fruit growing, and selling honey, souvenirs, and stamps to tourists and collectors. They have no airport or harbor. The only way to get there is by a freighter ship from New Zealand, which takes about 10 days and happens only four times a year. Life on Pitcairn is not easy. The islanders have faced social problems, such as a child sexual abuse scandal in 2004 that resulted in the conviction of six men, including the mayor, and a population decline due to emigration and aging. They also have limited access to education, health care, entertainment, and communication. However, they are loyal to their heritage and community.