Geography
The Pitcairn Islands form the southeasternmost extension of the geological archipelago of the Tuamotus of French Polynesia, and consist of four islands: Pitcairn Island, Oeno Island (atoll with five islets, one of which is Sandy Island), Henderson Island and Ducie Island (atoll with four islets).
The only permanently inhabited island, Pitcairn, is accessible only by boat through Bounty Bay.
Henderson Island, covering about 86% of the territory's total land area and supporting a rich variety of animals in its nearly inaccessible interior, is also capable of supporting a small human population, but access is difficult, owing to its outer shores being steep limestone cliffs covered by sharp coral.
The Pitcairn Islands were formed by a centre of upwelling magma called the Pitcairn hotspot.
The other islands are at a distance of more than 100 km (62 mi) and are not habitable.
| Island or atoll | Type | Land area (km²) |
Total area (km²) |
Pop. July 2011 |
Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducie Island | Atoll | 0.7 | 3.9* | – | 24°40′09″S 124°47′11″W / 24.66917°S 124.78639°W / -24.66917; -124.78639 |
| Henderson Island | Uplifted coral island | 37.3 | 37.3 | – | 24°22′01″S 128°18′57″W / 24.36694°S 128.31583°W / -24.36694; -128.31583 |
| Oeno Island | Atoll | 0.65 | 16.65* | – | 23°55′26″S 130°44′03″W / 23.92389°S 130.73417°W / -23.92389; -130.73417 |
| Pitcairn Island | Volcanic island | 4.6 | 4.6 | 67 | 25°04′00″S 130°06′00″W / 25.0666667°S 130.1°W / -25.0666667; -130.1 |
| Pitcairn Islands (all islands) |
– | 43.25 | 62.45 | 67 | 23°55′26″ to 25°04′00″S, 124°47′11″ to 130°44′03″W |
* Includes reef flat and lagoon of the atolls.
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Pitcairn Island as seen from a globe view with other Pacific Islands.
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Satellite photo of Pitcairn Island
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Map of Pitcairn Islands
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View of Bounty Bay
Read more about this topic: Pitcairn Islands
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