1993 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1993 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
total area: 135 km2 land area: 135 km2 comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Coastline
138.9 km
Environment
almost completely surrounded by a reef
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
NA km2
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Location
in the Indian Ocean, between Australia and Indonesia
Map references
Southeast Asia
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Natural resources
phosphate
Note
located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
Terrain
steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
People and Society
Birth rate
NA births/1,000 population
Death rate
NA deaths/1,000 population
Ethnic divisions
Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population
Infant mortality rate
NA deaths/1,000 live births
Labor force
NA by occupation: all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas Island, Ltd.
Languages
English
Life expectancy at birth
total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Literacy
total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
Nationality
noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island
Net migration rate
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Population
1,685 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate
-2.44% (1993 est.)
Religions
Buddhist 36.1%, Muslim 25.4%, Christian 17.7% (Roman Catholic 8.2%, Church of England 3.2%, Presbyterian 0.9%, Uniting Church 0.4%, Methodist 0.2%, Baptist 0.1%, and other 4.7%), none 12.7%, unknown 4.6%, other 3.5% (1981)
Total fertility rate
NA children born/woman
Government
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Capital
The Settlement
Chief of State
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Constitution
Christmas Island Act of 1958
Digraph
KT
Diplomatic representation in US
none (territory of Australia)
Executive branch
British monarch, governor general of Australia, administrator, Advisory Council (cabinet)
Flag
the flag of Australia is used
Head of Government
Administrator M. J. GRIMES (since NA)
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
Judicial branch
none
Legal system
under the authority of the governor general of Australia
Legislative branch
none
Member of
none
Names
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island
National holiday
NA
Political parties and leaders
none
Type
territory of Australia
US diplomatic representation
none (territory of Australia)
Economy
Agriculture
NA
Budget
revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Currency
1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Economic aid
none
Electricity
11,000 kW capacity; 30 million kWh produced, 17,800 kWh per capita (1990)
Exchange rates
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4837 (January 1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988)
Exports
$NA commodities: phosphate partners: Australia, NZ
External debt
$NA
Fiscal year
1 July - 30 June
Imports
$NA commodities: consumer goods partners: principally Australia
Industrial production
growth rate NA%
Industries
phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
NA%
National product
GDP $NA
National product per capita
$NA
National product real growth rate
NA%
Overview
Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine as no longer economically viable. Plans have been under way to reopen the mine and also to build a casino and hotel to develop tourism, with a possible opening date during the first half of 1992.
Unemployment rate
NA%
Communications
Airports
total: 1 useable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: with runways 2,440-3,659 m: with runways 1,220-2,439: 1
Highways
adequate road system
Ports
Flying Fish Cove
Telecommunications
4,000 radios (1982); broadcasting stations - 1 AM, 1 TV
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of Australia