2019 Edition

Background

There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. From the 1820s to 1978, members of the CLUNIES-ROSS family controlled the islands and the copra produced from local coconuts. Annexed by the UK in 1857, the Cocos Islands were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. Apart from North Keeling Island, which lies 30 kilometers north of the main group, the islands form a horseshoe-shaped atoll surrounding a lagoon. North Keeling Island was declared a national park in 1995 and is administered by Parks Australia. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island.

Area

Land

14 sq km

Total

14 sq km

Water

0 sq km

Area Comparative

about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Climate

tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year

Coastline

26 km

Elevation

Highest Point

South Point on South Island 9 m

Lowest Point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment Current Issues

freshwater resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs; illegal fishing a concern

Geographic Coordinates

12 30 S, 96 50 E

Geography Note

islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation; site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island

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.)

Forest

0% (2011 est.)

Other

100% (2011 est.)

Location

Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka

Map References

Southeast Asia

Maritime Claims

Exclusive Fishing Zone

200 nm

Territorial Sea

12 nm

Natural Hazards

cyclone season is October to April

Natural Resources

fish

Population Distribution

only Home Island and West Island are populated

Terrain

flat, low-lying coral atolls

Ethnic Groups

Europeans, Cocos Malays

Infant Mortality Rate

Total

NA (2018)

Languages

English 22.3%, Malay (Cocos dialect) 68.8%, unspecified 8.9% (2016 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Total Population

NA (2017 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Cocos Islander

Noun

Cocos Islander(s)

Population

596 (July 2014 est.)

Population Growth Rate

0% (2014 est.)

Religions

Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 75%, Anglican 3.5%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, none 12.9%, unspecified 6.3% (2016 est.)

Administrative Divisions

none (territory of Australia)

Capital

Geographic Coordinates

12 10 S, 96 50 E

Name

West Island

Time Difference

UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see Australia

Constitution

Amendments

amended many times, last in 2016 (2017)

History

23 November 1955 (Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955)

Country Name

Conventional Long Form

Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Conventional Short Form

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Etymology

the name refers to the abundant coconut trees on the islands and to English Captain William KEELING, the first European to sight the islands in 1609

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

Head Of Government

Administrator Natasha GRIGGS (since 5 October 2018)

Flag Description

the flag of Australia is used

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

common law based on the Australian model

Legislative Branch

Description

unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats; members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms with half the membership renewed every 2 years)

Election Results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 5, women 2, percent of women 28.6%

Elections

last held in October 2017 (next to be held on 31 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)

Political Parties And Leaders

none

Suffrage

18 years of age

Agriculture Products

vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts

Economy Overview

Coconuts, grown throughout the islands, are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry.

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

copra

Fiscal Year

1 July - 30 June

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

NA

GDP Real Growth Rate

2003

1%

Imports

NA

Imports Commodities

foodstuffs

Industries

copra products, tourism

Labor Force By Occupation

note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism is the other main source of employment

Unemployment Rate

2000

60%

2011

0.1%

Broadcast Media

1 local radio station staffed by community volunteers; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available (2017)

Internet Country Code

.cc

Telephone System

Domestic

local area code - 08

General Assessment

telephone service is part of the Australian network; an operational local mobile-cellular network available; wireless Internet connectivity available

International

international code - 61 8; telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat)

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

2 438 To 3 047 M

1

Total

1 (2019)

Ports And Terminals

Port Refuge

Roadways

Paved

10 km (2007)

Total

22 km (2007)

Unpaved

12 km (2007)

Military Note

defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a five-person police force

Disputes International

none