Christmas Island
Introduction Geography People Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues
Introduction	Back To Top
Background: Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement began by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.
Geography	Back To Top
Land boundaries: 0 km Climate: tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Map references: Southeast Asia Geographic coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E Natural resources: phosphate, beaches Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Geography - note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean Area: total: 135 sq km land: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km Location: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Coastline: 138.9 km Area - comparative: about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC Irrigated land: NA Environment - current issues: loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park) (2005)
People	Back To Top
Total fertility rate: NA (2008 est.) Sex ratio: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) Literacy: NA Net migration rate: NA (2008 est.) Ethnic groups: Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% note: no indigenous population (2001) Population: 1,402 (July 2007 est.) Population growth rate: 0% (2008 est.) Languages: English (official), Chinese, Malay Death rate: NA (2008 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Birth rate: NA (2008 est.) Religions: Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Nationality: noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island
Government	Back To Top
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Government type: NA Political pressure groups and leaders: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Dependency status: non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department International organization participation: none Legislative branch: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 20 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9 Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law Flag description: territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, while the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island note: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes Independence: none (territory of Australia) Country name (Goverment): conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island Political parties and leaders: none Capital: name: The Settlement geographic coordinates: 10 25 S, 105 43 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006) elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Judicial branch: Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court
Economy	Back To Top
GDP (purchasing power parity): $NA Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) Labor force: NA Exports: $NA Currency (code): Australian dollar (AUD) Economy - overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993, but closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, expected to begin operations in the near future. Imports - commodities: consumer goods Industries: tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) Imports: $NA Currency code: AUD Exports - commodities: phosphate Economic aid - recipient: $NA Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Communications	Back To Top
Internet users: 464 (2001) Telephones - main lines in use: NA Televisions: 600 (1997) Internet country code: .cx Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2006) Radios: 1,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 0 (TV broadcasts received via satellite from mainland Australia) (2006) Telephone system: general assessment: service provided by the Australian network domestic: GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system in February 2005 international: country code - 61-8; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat provides telephone and telex service) (2005) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000) Internet hosts: 1,821 (2008)
Transportation	Back To Top
Ports and terminals: Flying Fish Cove Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) Roadways: total: 140 km paved: 30 km unpaved: 110 km (2007) Airports: 1 (2007)
Military	Back To Top
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues	Back To Top
Disputes - international: none

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