Map of Christmas Island | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year: Guide19891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023 | More stats

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Background: Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. The phosphate mine closed in 1987 and the need for an alternative industry has spurred investment in tourism. Old mining areas are being restored and almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.


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Location

Geographic coordinates

Map reference

Area

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 138.9 km

Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 12 nm
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;

Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds

Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau

Elevation

Natural resources: phosphate

Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other

Irrigated land

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

Natural hazards

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia


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Population: 2,278 (July 1990), growth rate 0.0% (1990)

Nationality: noun--Christmas Islander(s), adjective--Christmas Island

Ethnic groups: 61% Chinese, 25% Malay, 11% European, 3% other; no indigenous population

Languages: English

Religions: NA

Demographic profile

Age structure

Dependency ratios

Median age

Population growth rate

Birth rate: NA births/1000 population (1990)

Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population (1990)

Net migration rate: NA migrants/1000 population (1990)

Population distribution

Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: almost completely surrounded by a reef

Air pollutants

Sex ratio

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births (1990)

Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1990)

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1990)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

Current health expenditure

Physicians density

Hospital bed density

Sanitation facility access

Hiv/Aids

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures

Literacy: NA%

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment


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Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island

Government type: territory of Australia

Capital: The Settlement

Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)

Dependent areas

Independence: none (territory of Australia)

National holiday: NA

Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958

Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia

International law organization participation

Citizenship

Suffrage

Executive branch: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952; Head of Government--Administrator A. D. TAYLOR (since NA)

Legislative branch: none

Judicial branch: none

Political parties and leaders

International organization participation

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (territory of Australia)

Flag description: the flag of Australia is used

National symbols

National anthem

National heritage


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Economy 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.

Real gdp purchasing power parity

Real gdp growth rate

Real gdp per capita ppp

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by end use

Gdp composition by sector of origin

Agriculture products: NA

Industries: phosphate extraction (near depletion)

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: NA; all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas Island, Ltd.

Unemployment rate: 0%

Youth unemployment

Population below poverty line

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Distribution of family income gini index

Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Public debt

Taxes and other revenues

Revenue

Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June

Current account balance

Inflation rate consumer prices

Central bank discount rate

Commercial bank prime lending rate

Stock of narrow money

Stock of broad money

Stock of domestic credit

Market value of publicly traded shares

Current account balance

Exports: $NA
Commodities: phosphate
Partners: Australia, NZ

Imports: $NA
Commodities: NA
Partners: NA

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Debt external: $NA

Stock of direct foreign investment at home

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad

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)


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Electricity access

Electricity production

Electricity consumption

Electricity exports

Electricity imports

Electricity installed generating capacity

Electricity transmission distribution losses

Electricity generation sources

Petroleum

Refined petroleum

Natural gas

Carbon dioxide emissions

Energy consumption per capita


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Telephones fixed lines

Telephones mobile cellular

Telephone system

Broadcast media

Internet country code

Internet users

Broadband fixed subscriptions


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Military expenditures

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation

Space program

Terrorist groups


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National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports: 1 usable with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m

Airports with paved runways

Airports with unpaved runways

Heliports

Pipelines

Railways

Roadways

Waterways

Merchant marine

Ports and terminals


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Disputes international

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs