The island of Pitcairn. Overseas Territory of Great Britain in the Pacific Ocean

Pitcairn is not just one island. This name is overseas territory of Great Britain in the Pacific Ocean, which includes as many as five islands. This place is one of the most inaccessible on the whole planet and remains the only colony of Great Britain (since 1838) to date. Let's take a closer look at this little-known corner of the Earth for tourists.

Historical reference

Overseas territory of Great Britain was called the Pitcairn Islands in honor of the son of a sailor, who first noticed an uninhabited land with a wonderful nature. It happened on July 2, 1767, when the sloop "Swallow" of the British navigator Philippe Carteret made his journey.

The island of Pitcairn was settled only twenty-three years later. The vessel "Bounty" transported from Tahiti to the islands of the Caribbean archipelago the seedlings of breadfruit. They demanded a lot of water, otherwise they would be lost. In order not to lose weight, cut down the diet of the team. This led to a riot, which resulted in the landing of eighteen crew members together with the captain. The rest of the passengers returned to Tahiti.

But it was forbidden to stay there for a long time. In order not to fall out of favor with the then queen, the leader of the rebels Christian Flatcher, along with seven crew members, six Tahitian servants and eleven Tahitian women, went to the uninhabited lands of Pitcairn.

Then, according to legend, the bloody struggle for women followed, after the outcome of which there was only one man - John Adams. He became the father of all children born later.

Location and composition of the archipelago

The home of the Pitcairn archipelago is the southern part of the Pacific Ocean. And as it was said above, it consists of five islands: Dyusi, Oeno, Sandy, Pitcairn and Henderson.

This group is located in 2 thousand 170 kilometers from Tahiti and in 6 thousand 600 kilometers from Panama.

Of this group, Henderson Island is the largest. Its area is 37 square meters. At the same time, the size of the populated Pitcairn is 5 square meters, and the unoccupied Ducys, Oeno and Sandy are no more than 0.7 square meters.

Why, it is asked, such a large area of Henderson has not been settled yet? The answer is simple - there is no fresh water supply, unlike the island of Pitcairn.

Climate

The type of climate on the island is marine subtropical. The rainy season here begins in November and ends only in March. At the same time typhoons are often inflicted on the archipelago. The driest months most suitable for tourist visits are July and August. Then the average air temperature is about + 20 ° C. In winter, the air warms up to +25 ... + 30 ° C. Proceeding from this, on Pitcairn winter period comes in August, and summer - in February.

The total amount of precipitation per year is 1200-1500 millimeters.

Population

Demographic peak is considered to be 1935, when 250 people lived on the island. Since then, their numbers have been gradually decreasing:

• From 1940 to 1960 - from 163 people to 126;
• From 1970 to 1990 - from 95 people to 59;
• In 1995, the population was 55;
• In 2000, 51 people;
• In 2005 - 63 people;
• In 2010 - 64 people.

Based on such a disappointing trend, the island's authorities (the mayor and the island council) have developed a plan aimed at increasing the influx of migrants to the island of Pitcairn.

Despite this, today's population of the island consists of 49 permanent residents.

They speak a special Pitcairn language, which is derived from Tahitian and English XVIII century. The latter, in turn, is considered an official language.

The economic structure of the island

Due to natural features, the soil of the island is very fertile and this allows the inhabitants to grow many kinds of vegetables and fruits. Among them are citrus fruits, bananas, pineapples, melons, onions, potatoes, cabbage, sugar cane and many legumes.

On the territory of the island of Pitcairn, bartering is widespread, the islanders exchange and pay off each other with the extracted sea gifts and the products grown with their own hands.

The trade beyond the archipelago is complicated by the lack of an established transport infrastructure. The island of Pitcairn has at its disposal only a port. But already planned and the construction of the airport, which should develop a tourist direction. By the way, 80% of the entire income of the island is already tourism.

Also in the infrastructure of the island are several shops, a warehouse, an assembly hall, a library, a museum, a medical center. Their work time is at best three hours three days a week.

Electricity and high-speed Internet work smoothly (excluding possible temporary malfunctions due to the typhoon).

Also on the island there is a church and a local radio station.

Money from the island of Pitcairn

The official currency of the island of Pitcairn is the New Zealand dollar (NZ $), which is a bit strange, because the archipelago is part of the UK.

Methods of payment in Pitcairn:

• cash;
• barter.

It is almost impossible to pay with credit cards or traveler's checks. And the exchange of currencies in general is not possible, because there are no banking institutions and exchange offices on the island.

Pitcairn is also famous for its collector coins, which have been minted since 1988. Their sale is also a significant income item. In the usual circulation, coins are extremely rare.

Tourism

There are no hotels on the island. Tourists deliver to the island of Pitcairn about a dozen cruise ships that moor at the port for several hours. During this time, you can buy local food, souvenirs, collectible coins, spend time with the locals.

But this time is not enough for a full study of the history and culture of Pitcairn. Therefore, there are real travelers who stay longer on the island. You can get to the island like on a cruise ship with everyone, and with the help of private passenger ships and yachts. And for a night's lodging local residents built and landscaped special autonomous houses, which are now rented out to tourists for 70 New Zealand dollars. This cost includes not only accommodation, but also food and Internet use.

Lessons for travelers

If you want to come to Pitcairn just because of the beaches and swimming, then you are not here. On the island there are almost no beach places, and even in there you can swim near the shore. Since the local current is very strong and unpredictable.

Almost the only place for a beach holiday is the lagoon St. Paul's Pool. Overcoming an unsafe descent, you will get clean and calm water, where you can even do diving.

When you get tired of swimming, try yourself in fishing. She's just wonderful here!

There are no restaurants on the island, so in the evenings you can cook your catch together with the hospitable inhabitants and sit behind a glass of juice (because the majority of the population are Adventists and do not welcome alcohol), listening to local stories and stories.

And if your trip falls on a Saturday, then you will come to an amazing event - a traditional dinner vyskladchinu, which every resident brings their own dishes.

Nature

Since there is no entertainment here, enjoy nature! Merge with it together. Where else, if not here?

Awaken the ornithologist and start watching the birds. Pitcairn has become home to a variety of species, for example, the Pogzan atra family, the herriad reclusive Hinderson (Vini stepheni Vini stepheni), the reeds of Henderson (Acrocephalus taiti), Henderson's fruity pigeon (Ptilinopus insularis) and others.

If you do not like birds, study the flora. It is rich in shrubby and woody plants. Also, many coconut palms, bananas and tangerines grow there. Even the pines found a place for themselves.

In the end, walk and enjoy every moment. Moreover, there are signs at each fork. And if you are lucky, during the next walk on your way will meet the amazing Galapagos tortoise Mrs. Ti, which was brought here in the thirties of the twentieth century.

And when you are fully acquainted with Pitcairn, then ask the locals to take you to the nearby island of Henderson. Nature there is no less amazing.

Despite the fact that it is more difficult to get to the island than to Greece, for example, it's worth visiting Pitcairn. At least to find out that heaven on earth exists! And for a great holiday does not necessarily have the presence of typical attractions. They can be fabulous views and the atmosphere itself.