2019 Edition

Background

Although Europeans had sighted the island at least as early as 1615, it was only named in 1643 for the day of its rediscovery. The island was annexed and settlement began by the UK in 1888 with the discovery of the island's phosphate deposits. Following the Second World War, Christmas Island came under the jurisdiction of the new British Colony of Singapore. The island existed as a separate Crown colony from 1 January 1958 to 1 October 1958 when its transfer to Australian jurisdiction was finalized. That date is still celebrated on the first Monday in October as Territory Day. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.

Area

Land

135 sq km

Total

135 sq km

Water

0 sq km

Area Comparative

about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds

Coastline

138.9 km

Elevation

Highest Point

Murray Hill 361 m

Lowest Point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment Current Issues

loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining

Geographic Coordinates

10 30 S, 105 40 E

Geography Note

located along major sea lanes of the Indian Ocean

Land Boundaries

0 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

0% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

0% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

0% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

0% (2011 est.)

Other

100% (2011 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

12 nm

Natural Hazards

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard

Natural Resources

phosphate, beaches

Population Distribution

majority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island

Terrain

steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau

Age Structure

0 14 Years

12.79% (male 147/female 135) (2017 est.)

15 24 Years

12.2% (male 202/female 67) (2017 est.)

25 54 Years

57.91% (male 955/female 322) (2017 est.)

55 64 Years

11.66% (male 172/female 85) (2017 est.)

65 Years And Over

5.44% (male 84/female 36) (2017 est.)

Ethnic Groups

Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% (2001)

Infant Mortality Rate

Total

NA (2018)

Languages

English (official) 27.6%, Mandarin 17.2%, Malay 17.1%, Cantonese 3.9%, Min Nan 1.6%, Tagalog 1%, other 4.5%, unspecified 27.1% (2016 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Total Population

NA (2017 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Christmas Island

Noun

Christmas Islander(s)

Population

2,205 (2016 est.)

Population Growth Rate

1.11% (2014 est.)

Religions

Muslim 19.4%, Buddhist 18.3%, Roman Catholic 8.8%, Protestant 6.5% (includes Anglican 3.6%, Uniting Church 1.2%, other 1.7%), other Christian 3.3%, other 0.6%, none 15.3%, unspecified 27.7% (2016 est.)

Administrative Divisions

none (territory of Australia)

Capital

Geographic Coordinates

10 25 S, 105 43 E

Name

The Settlement (Flying Fish Cove)

Time Difference

UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see Australia

Constitution

Amendments

amended many times, last in 2016 (2017)

History

1 October 1958 (Christmas Island Act 1958)

Country Name

Conventional Long Form

Territory of Christmas Island

Conventional Short Form

Christmas Island

Etymology

named by English Captain William MYNORS for the day of its rediscovery, Christmas Day (25 December 1643); the island had been sighted by Europeans as early as 1615

Dependency Status

non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport

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 Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sir Peter COSGROVE (since 28 March 2014)

Elections Appointments

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 for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia

Head Of Government

Administrator Natasha GRIGGS (since 5 October 2018)

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

Government Type

non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia

Independence

none (territory of Australia)

International Organization Participation

none

Judicial Branch

under the terms of the Territorial Law Reform Act 1992, Western Australia provides court services as needed for the island, including the Supreme Court and subordinate courts (District Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Children's Court, and Coroners' Court)

Legal System

legal system is under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law

Legislative Branch

Description

unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms with a portion of the membership renewed every 2 years)

Election Results

percent of vote - NA; seats by party - independent 9; composition as of 17 October 2015 - men 7, women 2, percent of women 22.2%

Elections

held every 2 years with half the members standing for election; last held on 21 October 2017 (next to be held in October 2019)

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)

National Holiday

Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788)

National Symbol S

golden bosun bird

Political Parties And Leaders

none

Suffrage

18 years of age

Economy Overview

The main economic activities on Christmas Island are the mining of low grade phosphate, limited tourism, the provision of government services and, since 2005, the construction and operation of the Immigration Detention Center. The government sector includes administration, health, education, policing, customs, quarantine, and defense.

Exchange Rates

2013

1.1094

2014

1.3291

2015

1.3442

2016

1.3442

2017

1.311

Currency

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -

Exports

NA

Exports Commodities

phosphate

Fiscal Year

1 July - 30 June

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

NA

Imports

NA

Imports Commodities

consumer goods

Industries

tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)

Broadcast Media

1 community radio station; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations (2017)

Internet Country Code

.cx

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

35.8% (July 2016 est.)

Total

790

Telephone System

Domestic

local area code - 08; GSM mobile-cellular telephone service is provided by Telstra as part of the Australian network

General Assessment

service provided by the Australian network

International

international code - 61 8; ASC submarine cable to Singapore and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat provides telephone and telex service) (2019)

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

1

Total

1 (2019)

Ports And Terminals

Flying Fish Cove

Railways

Standard Gauge

18 km 1.435-m (not in operation) (2017)

Total

18 km (2017)

Roadways

Paved

30 km (2011)

Total

140 km (2011)

Unpaved

110 km (2011)

Military Note

defense is the responsibility of Australia

Disputes International

none