Norfolk Island Location:
29°2'S, 167°57'E
Norfolk Island Geography:
Norfolk Island is located in the South Pacific Ocean, east of the Australian mainland. Norfolk Island is the main island of the island group the territory encompasses and is located at 29°02'S, 167°57'E. It has an area of 34.6 km2 (13.3 mi2), with no large-scale internal bodies of water but 32 km of coastline. The island's highest point is Mt. Bates (319 m above sea level), located in the northwest quadrant of the island. The majority of the terrain is suitable for farming and other agricultural uses. Phillip Island, the second largest island of the territory, is located at 29°07'S, 167°57'E, several kilometres south of the main island.
The coastline of Norfolk Island consists, to varying degrees, of cliff faces. A downward slope exists towards Sydney Bay and Emily Bay, the site of the original colonial settlement of Kingston. There are no safe harbour facilities on Norfolk Island, with loading jetties existing at Kingston and Cascade Bay. All goods not domestically produced are brought in by ship, usually to Cascade Bay. Emily Bay, protected from the Pacific Ocean by a small coral reef, is the only safe area for recreational swimming, although surfing waves can sometimes be found in Ball Bay.
The climate is subtropical and mild, with little seasonal differentiation. The island is the eroded remnant of a basaltic volcano active around 2.3 to 3 million years ago,[1] with inland areas now consisting mainly of rolling plains. It forms the highest point on the Norfolk Ridge, part of the submerged continent Zealandia.
The area surrounding Mt. Bates is preserved as the Norfolk Island National Park. The park, covering around 10% of the land of the island, contains remnants of the forests which originally covered the island, including stands of subtropical rainforest.
The park also includes the two smaller islands to the south of Norfolk Island, Nepean Island and Phillip Island. The vegetation of Phillip Island was devastated due to the introduction during the penal era of pest animals such as pigs and rabbits, giving it a red-brown colour as viewed from Norfolk; however, pest control and remediation work by park staff has recently brought some improvement to the Phillip Island environment.
The major settlement on the Island is Burnt Pine, located predominantly along Taylor's Road, where the shopping centre, post office, liquor store, telephone exchange and community hall are located. Settlement also exists over much of the island, consisting largely of widely-separated homesteads.
Government House, the official residence of the Administrator, is located on Quality Row in what was the penal settlement of Kingston. Other government buildings, including the court, Legislative Assembly and Administration, are also located there. Kingston's role is largely a ceremonial one, however, with most of the economic impetus coming from Burnt Pine.
Norfolk Island People:
Population
- 2004 estimate 1,841 (232nd)
- Density 53.2 /km2 (191st)
138.4 /sq mi
Norfolk Island Government:
Government Self-governing territory
- Head of State Queen Elizabeth II
- Administrator Grant Tambling
- Chief Minister Andre Neville Nobbs
Norfolk Island Communication:
There are no railways, waterways, ports or harbours on the island. Loading jetties are located at Kingston and Cascade, but ships cannot get close to either of them. When a supply ship arrives, it is emptied by whaleboats towed by launches, five tonnes at a time. Which jetty is used depends on the prevailing weather on the day. The jetty on the leeward side of the island is often used. If the wind changes significantly during unloading/loading, the ship will move round to the other side. Visitors often gather to watch the activity when a supply ship arrives.
There is one airport, Norfolk Island Airport.
There are 80 km of roads on the island, "little more than country lanes"[5]. Local law gives cows the right of way[5].
As of 2004, 2532 telephone main lines are in use, a mix of analog (2500) and digital (32) circuits. Norfolk Island's country code is 672. Undersea coaxial cables link the island with Australia and New Zealand. Satellite service is planned.
There is one TV station featuring local programming Norfolk TV, plus transmitters for ABC TV and Southern Cross Television.
The Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is .nf.
Norfolk Island Economy:
Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over the years. As Norfolk Island prohibits the importation of fresh fruit and vegetables, a vast majority of produce is grown locally. Beef is both produced locally and imported.
Norfolk Island claims an exclusive economic zone extending 200 nautical miles (370 km) and territorial sea claims to three nautical miles (6 km) from the island. It provides the islanders with fish, its only major natural resource, though there is speculation[5] that the zone may include oil and gas deposits.
There are no major arable lands or permanent farmlands, though about 25% of the island is a permanent pasture. There is no irrigated land.
The island uses the Australian dollar as its currency.
Norfolk Island More Information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_Island | 
