1996 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1996 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Description
the flag of Australia is used
Location
12 30 S, 96 50 E -- Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka Flag ----
Geography
Area
- comparative area
- about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
- land area
- 14 sq km
- note
- includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
- total area
- 14 sq km
Climate
pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall
Coastline
2.6 km
Environment
- current issues
- fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
- international agreements
- NA
- natural hazards
- cyclones may occur in the early months of the year
Geographic coordinates
12 30 S, 96 50 E
Geographic note
two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- arable land
- NA%
- forest and woodland
- NA%
- meadows and pastures
- NA%
- other
- NA%
- permanent crops
- NA%
Location
Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka
Map references
Southeast Asia
Maritime claims
- exclusive fishing zone
- 200 nm
- territorial sea
- 3 nm
Natural resources
fish
Terrain
- flat, low-lying coral atolls
- highest point
- unnamed location 5 m
- lowest point
- Indian Ocean 0 m
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
Home Island
Cocos Malays
Infant mortality rate
NA deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
English
Life expectancy at birth
- female
- NA years
- male
- NA years
- total population
- NA years
Nationality
- adjective
- Cocos Islander
- noun
- Cocos Islander(s)
Net migration rate
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Population
609 (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate
0.94% (1996 est.)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.)
Sex ratio
- all ages
- NA male(s)/female
- at birth
- NA male(s)/female
- under 15 years
- NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
Total fertility rate
NA children born/woman
West Island
Europeans
Government
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Capital
West Island
Constitution
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955
Data code
CK
Diplomatic representation in US
none (territory of Australia)
Executive branch
- chief of state
- Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
- head of government
- Administrator John Bell READ (since NA) was appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the queen and Australia
Flag
the flag of Australia is used
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
International organization participation
WMO
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
Legal system
based upon the laws of Australia and local laws
Legislative branch
unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council; President of the Islands Council Ronald GRANT (since NA)
Name of country
- conventional long form
- Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- conventional short form
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
National holiday
NA
Political parties and leaders
none
Suffrage
NA
Type of government
territory of Australia
US diplomatic representation
none (territory of Australia)
Economy
Agriculture
vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Budget
- expenditures
- $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
- revenues
- $NA
Currency
1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Economic aid
none
Economic overview
Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia.
Electricity
- capacity
- 1,000 kW
- consumption per capita
- 2,980 kWh (1990)
- production
- 2 million kWh
Exchange rates
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January 1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991)
Exports
- $NA
- commodities
- copra
- partners
- Australia
External debt
$NA
Fiscal year
1 July - 30 June
GDP
purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP composition by sector
- agriculture
- NA%
- industry
- NA%
- services
- NA%
GDP per capita
$NA
GDP real growth rate
NA%
Imports
- $NA
- commodities
- foodstuffs
- partners
- Australia
Industrial production growth rate
NA%
Industries
copra products
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
NA%
Labor force
NA
Communications
Defense note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Radio broadcast stations
AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios
300 (1992 est.)
Telephone system
- domestic
- NA
- international
- telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type
Telephones
NA
Television broadcast stations
- note
- intermittent television service via satellite
Televisions
NA Defense
Transportation
Airports
- total
- 1
- with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m
- 1 (1995 est.)
Highways
- paved
- NA km
- total
- NA km
- unpaved
- NA km
Merchant marine
none
Ports
none; lagoon anchorage only
Railways
0 km