2000 Edition

Background

This island was annexed by the UK in 1888, following the discovery of phosphate rock.

Area

land

135 sq km

total

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

highest point

Murray Hill 361 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

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%

forests and woodland

NA%

note

mainly tropical rainforest of which 60%-70% is in a national park

other

NA%

permanent crops

NA%

permanent pastures

NA%

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

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, Chinese, Malay

Life expectancy at birth

female

NA years

male

NA years

total population

NA years

Nationality

adjective

Christmas Island

noun

Christmas Islander(s)

Net migration rate

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Population

2,564 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate

7.77% (2000 est.)

Religions

Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991)

Total fertility rate

NA children born/woman

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of Australia)

Executive branch

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general

elections

none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia

head of government

Administrator (acting) Graham NICHOLLS (since NA)

Flag description

the flag of Australia is used

Government type

NA

Independence

none (territory of Australia)

International organization participation

none

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

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)

election results

percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9

elections

last held NA December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2000)

National holiday

NA

Political parties and leaders

none

Agriculture - products

NA

Budget

expenditures

$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

revenues

$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 1991, the mine was reopened by union workers. With the support of the government, Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $34 million casino on Christmas Island, which opened in 1993. As of yearend 1999, gaming facilities at the casino were temporarily closed but were expected to reopen in early 2000. Another economic prospect is the possible location of a space-launching site on the 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 - 1.5207 (January 2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995)

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 (1995)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

NA%

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

NA

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios

1,000 (1997)

Telephone system

domestic

NA

international

external telephone and telex services are provided by Intelsat satellite

Telephones - main lines in use

NA

Telephones - mobile cellular

0 (1999)

Television broadcast stations

NA

Televisions

600 (1997)

Airports

1 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1999 est.)

Highways

paved

NA km

total

NA km

unpaved

NA km

Merchant marine

none (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors

Flying Fish Cove

Railways

24 km to serve phosphate mines

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Australia

Disputes - international

none

CLIPPERTON ISLAND