| Geography and Climate |
Pitcairn Is located in Oceania, are islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand. Area comparatively about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC.
Climate is tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March). Terrain consists of rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs. Elevation extreme has the lowest point in Pacific Ocean 0 m and highest point in Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m. Natural resources are miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish; note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been discovered offshore. Natural hazards are typhoons (especially November to March).
Environment—current issues: deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement).
Ref. Anonymous, 1999 |
