1997 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1997 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
total: 14 sq km land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note : includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Area - comparative
about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Climate
pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall
Coastline
2.6 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point : Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Environment - current issues
fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
Environment - international agreements
party to: NA signed, but not ratified : NA
Geographic coordinates
12 30 S, 96 50 E
Geography - note
two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation
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, 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 hazards
cyclones may occur in the early months of the year
Natural resources
fish
Terrain
flat, low-lying coral atolls
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
Europeans, Cocos Malays
Infant mortality rate
NA deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
English, Malay
Life expectancy at birth
total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Nationality
noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective : Cocos Islander
Net migration rate
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Population
617 (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate
0.98% (1997 est.)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.)
Sex ratio
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 population: NA male(s)/female
Total fertility rate
NA children born/woman
Government
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Constitution
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Data code
CK
Dependency status
territory of Australia
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 of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government : Administrator (acting) Jarl ANDERSSON (since NA) cabinet: NA elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the queen and Australia
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used
Government type
NA
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 (NA seats)
National capital
West Island
National holiday
NA
Political parties and leaders
none
Suffrage
NA
Economy
Agriculture - products
vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Budget
revenues: $NA expenditures : $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Currency
1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Debt - external
$NA
Economic aid
none
Economy - overview
Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia.
Electricity - capacity
NA kW
Electricity - consumption per capita
NA kWh
Electricity - production
NA kWh
Exchange rates
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.2835 (January 1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992)
Exports
$NA commodities: copra partners: Australia
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%
Imports
$NA commodities: foodstuffs partners: Australia
Industrial production growth rate
NA%
Industries
copra products and tourism
Inflation rate - consumer price index
NA%
Labor force
NA note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage worker operations; tourism employs others
Communications
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 and elsewhere via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type
Telephones
NA
Television broadcast stations
0note: intermittent television service via satellite
Televisions
NA
Transportation
Airports
1
Airports - with paved runways
total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Highways
total : NA km paved: NA km unpaved : NA km
Merchant marine
none
Ports and harbors
none; lagoon anchorage only
Railways
0 km
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none ______________________________________________________________________ COLOMBIA