1998 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1998 (Internet Archive)
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 (July 1998 est.)
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 male: NA female: NA
Nationality
noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander
Net migration rate
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Population
637 (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate
-0.21% (1998 est.)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.)
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; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories
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) Maureen ELLIS (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 Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none
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
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$1-1.5281 (January 1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993)
Exports
$NA commodities: copra partners: Australia
Fiscal year
1 July-30 June Communications
GDP
purchasing power parity-$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
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
0 note: intermittent television service via satellite
Televisions
NA
Transportation
Airports
1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Highways
total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Ports and harbors: none; lagoon anchorage only
Merchant marine
none
Railways
0 km
Military and Security
Military-note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Disputes-international
none