Pitcairn Islands with a Population of 67

“For those who ask, ‘Isn’t there a less crowded country?’” come and visit the Pitcairn Islands.

Imagine a country on an island with only 67 people inside. I will now talk about this island that you have imagined. Despite attracting tourists 200 times its population, the Pitcairn Islands have a tiny population. I’m talking about 67 people; the number of passengers on a bus, the number of students in a class, that’s the country’s population. However, it’s not just the small population of the island that’s interesting, but also its history and the life on it.

Another Discovery, Another Civilization

Let me answer the primary question right away; Where are the Pitcairn Islands? Located in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean, this volcanic island is 2,000 km away from Tahiti and 3,500 km away from Hawaii. It’s as if it has existed on its own in the middle of the ocean.

In fact, the island, of course, naturally formed and existed. However, there is a story about how people first set foot on the island years ago. In the late 1700s, a mutiny broke out on the cargo ship “Bounty”. The second captain of the ship, Fletcher Christian, and his crew, who were united with him, put the first captain and the crew who were loyal to him on a lifeboat and left them in the ocean. However, in the end, they could not return due to punishment and execution. They headed towards the Tabuai Islands and, along with Tahitian women and 8 male slaves, reached the Pitcairn Islands, which no one had set foot on before.

Only 8 people reached the island, and from then on, a life began. You might think that they lived quietly and peacefully among themselves over the years, but that’s not the case; the colony was discovered by American whalers in 1808. From then on, it became a stopping point for both whalers and passenger ships traveling between the US and Australia.

In 1952, the island, which was a British colony, was attached to Fiji, and in 1970, it gained independence, with the British ambassador to New Zealand being appointed as the governor of the island. Along with Oeno, Henderson, and Ducie, it forms the Pitcairn Islands, a British Overseas Territory.

The island’s population experienced a boom in 1936, with a population of over 200 people. However, due to the lack of settlement areas, it was not possible for so many people to fit on the island, and many had to migrate to Norfolk Island. Of course, there are also those who have left the island voluntarily due to reasons such as brain drain.

Let’s Say You Wanted to Go…

You’ll immediately ask Google; How to get to the Pitcairn Islands. I’m answering; you’ll be taking a sea journey. And a very challenging one at that. Because you can’t expect an airport on a 47 km2 island.

If you want to go to the Pitcairn Islands for 14 days, you don’t need a visa. However, if you want to work, it is a requirement for the Island Council to give you a 6-month visa. Don’t even think about staying illegally; it’s like Survivor Island - it’s impossible not to be recognized, and you can’t hide.

You also have the opportunity to obtain citizenship. When you get the BOTC Passport, island life may not promise you much, but the opportunities provided by this passport can make you a bit more free. For example, the European Union, Canada, and the United Kingdom open their doors to you without a visa. However, keep in mind that they expect you to have a significant amount of money to become a citizen.

Life in the Pitcairn Islands Nowadays

The fact that there are so few people on the island shouldn’t immediately lead you to think that it’s a utopian life. Before considering obtaining Pitcairn Islands citizenship, read on to see if it’s as appealing as you think.

Adamstown Pitcairn Islands is both the capital and the only city. The island is too small to allow for another city. There is only one school, one cafe, one post office, and a few houses on the island. In addition to beekeeping, fishing, and collecting fruits and vegetables, stamp export is also an important source of income due to the valuable stamps.

The economic characteristics of the Pitcairn Islands are not as complex as those of large countries. While this may seem like a factor that makes life easier, some things can drive you crazy. For example, paying more than $100 per month for 2 GB of internet with a speed of 0.25 mbit…

The peace, quiet, and the fact that it’s a bridge between you and Britain are nice, but unfortunately, the island has a dark side. In 2004, it became notorious for sexual abuse cases, which targeted girls under the age of 16. However, the islanders, including women, consider this situation normal due to their past culture, and they argue that all girls are ready for sexual relationships after the age of 12 and that men’s approaches should be considered normal. As our travelers who have closely familiarized themselves with different cultures will know well, unfortunately, some truths are not universally accepted among cultures. Apparently, the information about how wrong “pedophilia” is has not reached the Pitcairn Islands.

You may want to visit this tiny autonomous state, which has its own flag, capital, anthem, and language. At the very least, you can find the opportunity to really get away from everything in a country with very few people, and it’s an island country.

I wish you a good trip…

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