Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Introduction
Background
There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. From the 1820s to 1978, members of the CLUNIE-ROSS family controlled the islands and the copra produced from local coconuts. Annexed by the UK in 1857, the Cocos Islands were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island.
Geography
Location
Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates
12 30 S, 96 50 E
Map references
Oceania
Area
total: 14 sq km
country comparison to the world: 240 land:14 sq km
water:0 sq km
note:includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Area – comparative
about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
26 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone:200 nm
Climate
tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year
Terrain
flat, low-lying coral atolls
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point:unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources
fish
Land use
arable land: 0%
permanent crops:0%
other:100% (2005)
Irrigated land
NA
Natural hazards
cyclone season is October to April
Environment – current issues
freshwater resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
Geography – note
islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation
site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden
after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island
People and Society
Nationality
noun: Cocos Islander(s)
adjective:Cocos Islander
Ethnic groups
Europeans, Cocos Malays
Languages
Malay (Cocos dialect), English
Religions
Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.)
Population
596 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 237
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: 196
Birth rate
NA
Death rate
NA
Net migration rate
NA
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 Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional short form:Cocos (Keeling) Islands
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: West Island
geographic coordinates:12 10 S, 96 50 E
time difference:UTC+6.5 (11.5 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
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1955) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992
Legal system
common law based on the Australian model
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 (nonresident) Brian LACY (since 5 October 2009)
cabinet:NA
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) 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 Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)
elections:held every two years with half the members standing for election
last held in October 2009 (next to be held in Ocotber 2011)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
Magistrate’s Court
Political parties and leaders
none
Political pressure groups and leaders
The Cocos Islands Youth Support Centre
International organization participation
none
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used
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
Coconuts, grown throughout the islands, are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$NA
GDP – real growth rate
1% (2003)
country comparison to the world: 171
Labor force
NA
Labor force – by occupation
note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers
tourism employs others
Unemployment rate
60% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Budget
revenues: $NA
expenditures:$NA
Agriculture – products
vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Industries
copra products and tourism
Exports
$NA
Exports – commodities
copra
Imports
$NA
Imports – commodities
foodstuffs
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:216
Airports – with paved runways
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m:1 (2010)
Roadways
total: 22 km
country comparison to the world: 220 paved:10 km
unpaved:12 km (2007)
Ports and terminals
Port Refuge
Military
Military – note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
the territory has a five-person police force
Transnational Issues
Disputes – international
none