Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned.

In 1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.

After the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, Norfolk Island was placed under the authority of the new Commonwealth government to be administered as an external territory.

During World War II, the island became a key airbase and refuelling depot between Australia and New Zealand. Since Norfolk island fell within New Zealand's area of responsibility it was garrisoned by a New Zealand Army unit known as N Force. It proved too remote to come under attack during the war.

In 1979, Norfolk was granted self-government by Australia, under which the island elects a government that runs most of the island's affairs. As such, residents of Norfolk Island are not represented in the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia, making them the only group of residents of an Australian state or territory not represented there.

In 2006, a formal review process took place, in which the Australian Government considered revising this model of government. The review was completed on December 20, 2006, when it was decided that there would be no changes in the governance of Norfolk Island.

Source: CIA World Fact Book

Population: 2,114 (July 2007 est.)

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Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.2% 15-64 years: 63.9% 65 years and over: 15.9% (2007 est.)

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Population growth rate: 0.006% (2007 est.)

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Birth rate: NA

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Death rate: NA

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Net migration rate: NA

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Sex ratio: NA

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Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA

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Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA

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Total fertility rate: NA

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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA

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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA

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HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

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Nationality: noun: Norfolk Islander(s) adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)

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Ethnic groups: descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander, Polynesian

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Religions: Anglican 34.9%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Australia 11.2%, Seventh-Day Adventist 2.8%, Australian Christian 2.4%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, other 2.7%, unspecified 15.2%, none 18.1% (2001 census)

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Languages: English (official), Norfolk - a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian Literacy: NA

Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over the years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural sector has become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.

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GDP (purchasing power parity): $NA

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Labor force: NA

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Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10% industry and services: 90%

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Unemployment rate: 0%

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Budget: revenues: $4.6 million expenditures: $4.8 million; including capital expenditures of $2 million (FY99/00)

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Agriculture - products: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry

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Industries: tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete

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Electricity - production: NA kWh

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Electricity - consumption: NA kWh

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Exports: $1.5 million f.o.b. (FY91/92)

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Exports - commodities: postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados

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Exports - partners: Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe (2006)

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Imports: $17.9 million c.i.f. (FY91/92)

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Imports - commodities: NA

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Imports - partners: Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe (2006)

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Debt - external: $NA

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Economic aid - recipient: $NA

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Currency (code): Australian dollar (AUD)

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Exchange rates: Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002)

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Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June