The Probert Encyclopaedia of Places of the World

NORFOLK ISLAND

Norfolk Island is a remote Pacific island. It was discovered by Cook in 1774, who described it as uninhabited except for by birds. It was a penal settlement from 1788 to 1809 when the island was abandoned, and again from 1825 to 1853. In 1896 Norfolk Island was transfered to New South Wales. It is now a tourist resort. It has a total area of 34.6 km2. The climate is subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation. The terrain is volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains. Natural resources are fish. The religion is Anglican, Roman Catholic, Uniting Church in Australia, and Seventh-Day Adventist. The language is English (official) and Norfolk - a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian.
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