Christmas Island
Christmas Island
Introduction
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
Location
Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates
10 30 S, 105 40 E
Map references
Oceania
Area
total: 135 sq km
country comparison to the world: 221 land:135 sq km
water:0 sq km
Area – comparative
about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
138.9 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:12 nm
exclusive fishing zone:200 nm
Climate
tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season
heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain
steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point:Murray Hill 361 m
Natural resources
phosphate, beaches
Land use
arable land: 0%
permanent crops:0%
other:100% (mainly tropical rainforest
63% of the island is a national park) (2005)
Irrigated land
NA
Natural hazards
the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Environment – current issues
loss of rainforest
impact of phosphate mining
Geography – note
located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
People and Society
Nationality
noun: Christmas Islander(s)
adjective:Christmas Island
Ethnic groups
Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%
note:no indigenous population (2001)
Languages
English (official), Chinese, Malay
Religions
Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997)
Population
1,402 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 233
Age structure
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years:NA
65 years and over:NA
Population growth rate
0% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Birth rate
NA
Death rate
NA
Net migration rate
NA
Sex ratio
NA (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: NA
male:NA
female:NA
Life expectancy at birth
total population: NA
male:NA
female:NA
Total fertility rate
NA
HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate
NA
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS
NA
HIV/AIDS – deaths
NA
Education expenditures
NA
Literacy
NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
NA
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form:Christmas Island
Dependency status
non-self governing territory of Australia
administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government
Government type
NA
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)
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday
Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution
Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992
Legal system
legal system is under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
Suffrage
18 years of age
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) represented by the Australian governor general
head of government:Administrator Brian LACY (since 5 October 2009)
elections:the monarchy is hereditary
governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Australian prime minister
administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
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 on 17 October 2009 (next to be held in 2011)
election results:percent of vote – NA
seats – independents 9
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
District Court
Magistrate’s Court
Political parties and leaders
none
Political pressure groups and leaders
none
International organization participation
none
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of Australia)
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, 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
National symbol(s)
golden bosun bird
National anthem
note: as a territory of Australia, “Advance Australia Fair” remains official as the national anthem, while “God Save the Queen” serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)
Economy
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$NA
Labor force
NA
Budget
revenues: $NA
expenditures:$NA
Agriculture – products
NA
Industries
tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Exports
$NA
Exports – commodities
phosphate
Imports
$NA
Imports – commodities
consumer goods
Exchange rates
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
1.0902 (2010)
1.2822 (2009)
1.2059 (2008)
1.2137 (2007)
1.3285 (2006)
Transportation
Airports
1 (2010)
country comparison to the world:215
Airports – with paved runways
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m:1 (2010)
Railways
total: 18 km
country comparison to the world: 133 standard gauge:18 km 1.435-m (not in operation) (2010)
Roadways
total: 140 km
country comparison to the world: 210 paved:30 km
unpaved:110 km (2007)
Ports and terminals
Flying Fish Cove
Military
Military – note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Disputes – international
none