Norfolk Island is a
small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia ,
New Zealand and New Caledonia , 1,412 kilometres (877 mi) directly east of
mainland Australia 's Evans
Head, and about 900 kilometres (560 mi) from Lord Howe
Island . The island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, and
enjoys a large degree of self-governance. Together with two neighbouring
islands, it forms one of Australia 's
external territories. It has 2,300 inhabitants living on a total area of about
35 km2 (14 sq mi). Its capital is Kingston .
Originally settled by East Polynesians, Norfolk Island was colonised by Great Britain as part of its settlement of Australia in
1788. The island served as a convict penal settlement until May 1855, except
for an 11-year hiatus between 1814 and 1825, when it was abandoned. In 1856
permanent civilian residence on the island began when it was settled from
Pitcairn. In 1901, the island became a part of the Commonwealth of Australia.
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