1999 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1999 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Area
total: 135 sq km land: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area--comparative
about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Coastline
138.9 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Environment--current issues
NA
Environment--international agreements
party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geographic coordinates
10 30 S, 105 40 E
Geography--note
located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: 100% (1993 est.)
Location
Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Map references
Southeast Asia
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Natural hazards
the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Natural resources
phosphate
Terrain
steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Birth rate
NA births/1,000 population
Death rate
NA deaths/1,000 population
Ethnic groups
Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population
Infant mortality rate
NA deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
English
Life expectancy at birth
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
2,373 (July 1999 est.)
Population growth rate
7.77% (1999 est.)
Religions
Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991)
Total fertility rate
NA children born/woman
Government
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Capital
The Settlement
Constitution
Christmas Island Act of 1958
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island
Data code
KT
Dependency status
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator (acting) Graham NICHOLLS (since NA) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used
Government type
NA
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
International organization participation
none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none
Legal system
under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
Legislative branch
unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms) elections: last held NA December 1998 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: percent of vote--NA; seats--independents 9
National holiday
NA
Economy
Agriculture--products
NA
Budget
revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Currency
1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Debt--external
$NA
Economic aid--recipient
$NA
Economy--overview
Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1990, the mine was reopened by private operators. Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $45 million casino on Christmas Island.
Electricity--consumption
NA kWh
Electricity--exports
NA kWh
Electricity--imports
NA kWh
Electricity--production
NA kWh
Electricity--production by source
fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%
Exchange rates
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.5853 (January 1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994)
Exports
$NA
Exports--commodities
phosphate
Exports--partners
Australia, NZ
Fiscal year
1 July--30 June
GDP
purchasing power parity--$NA
GDP--composition by sector
agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
GDP--per capita
purchasing power parity?$NA
GDP--real growth rate
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports
$NA
Imports--commodities
consumer goods
Imports--partners
principally Australia
Industrial production growth rate
NA%
Industries
tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
NA%
Labor force
NA
Labor force--by occupation
tourism 400 people, mining 100 people
Population below poverty line
NA%
Unemployment rate
NA%
Communications
Radio broadcast stations
AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios
500 (1992)
Telephone system
domestic: NA international: NA note: external telephone and telex services are provided by Intelsat satellite
Telephones
NA
Television broadcast stations
NA (1997)
Televisions
350 (1992)
Transportation
Airports
1 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Highways
total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Ports and harbors: Flying Fish Cove
Merchant marine
none
Railways
24 km to serve phosphate mines
Military and Security
Military--note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international
none