1989 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1989 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Climate
tropical
Coastline
11.1 km
Comparative area
undetermined
Contiguous zone
1 2 nm
Continental shelf
200 meters or to depth of exploitation
Environment
reef about 8 km in circumference
Extended economic zone
200 nm
Labor force
NA; all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas Island, Ltd.
Land boundaries
none
Land use
0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other (coral)
Language
English
Literacy
NA%
Natural resources
none
Note
located 1,120 km southwest of Mexico in the North Pacific Ocean
Organized labor
NA
Religion
NA
Terrain
coral atoll
Territorial sea
1 2 nm
Total area
undetermined
People and Society
Population
uninhabited
Government
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Capital
The Settlement
Communists
none
Constitution
Christmas Island Act of
Diplomatic representation
none (territory of Australia)
Executive branch
British monarch, governor general of Australia, administrator, Advisory Council (cabinet)
Flag
the flag of Australia is used
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
Judicial branch
none
Leaders
Chief of Stale — Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government — Administrator A. D. TAYLOR (since NA)
Legal system
under the authority of the governor general of Australia
Legislative branch
none
Long-form name
- Territory of Christmas Island
- none
National holiday
NA
Type
- territory of Australia
- French possession administered by High Commissioner of the Republic Jean MONTPEZAT, resident in French Polynesia
Economy
Agriculture
NA
Aid
none
Budget
revenues SNA; expenditures SNA, including capital expenditures of SNA
Currency
Australian dollar (plural — dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Electricity
11,000 kW capacity; 38 million kWh produced, 16,680 kWh per capita (1989)
Exchange rates
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1— 1.2784 (January 1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752(1988), 1.4267(1987), 1.4905(1986), 1.4269(1985)
Exports
SNA; commodities — phosphate; partners — Australia, NZ
External debt
SNA
Fiscal year
1 July-30 June
GDP
SNA, per capita SNA; real growth rate NA%
Imports
SNA; commodities — NA; partners— NA
Industrial production
growth rate NA%
Industries
phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
NA%
Overview
- Phosphate mining is the only significant economic activity, but in November 1987 the Australian Government announced that the mine would be closed because of labor unrest. Plans are under way to build a casino and hotel to develop tourism.
- no economic activity
Unemployment rate
0%
Communications
Airports
1 usable with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m
Note
- defense is the responsibility of Australia Sec regional map 1
- defense is the responsibility of
Ports
- Flying Fish Cove
- none; offshore anchorage only Defense Forces
Telecommunications
4,000 radios (1982) Defense Forces