Map of Christmas Island | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year: Guide198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024 | 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 was reopened four years later but 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: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia

Geographic coordinates

Map reference: Southeast Asia

Area
Total area total: 135 km²
Land: 135 km²
Comparative: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 138.9 km

Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 12 nm
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 3 nm

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
Arable land: 0%
Permanent crops: 0%
Meadows and pastures: 0%
Forest and woodland: 0%
Other: 100%

Irrigated land: NA km²

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: 889 (July 1995 est.)
Growth rate: -9% (1995 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Christmas Islander(s)
Adjective: Christmas Island

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

Languages: English

Religions: Buddhist 36.1%, Muslim 25.4%, Christian 17.7% (Roman Catholic 8.2%, Church of England 3.2%, Presbyterian 0.9%, Uniting Church 0.4%, Methodist 0.2%, Baptist 0.1%, and other 4.7%), none 12.7%, unknown 4.6%, other 3.5% (1981)

Demographic profile

Age structure
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA

Dependency ratios

Median age

Population growth rate: -9% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: NA

Death rate: NA

Net migration rate: NA

Population distribution

Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: NA
Current issues natural hazards: almost completely surrounded by a reef which can be a maritime hazard
Current issues international agreements: NA

Air pollutants

Sex ratio

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate: NA

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: NA
Male: NA
Female: NA

Total fertility rate: NA

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

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment


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Country name
Conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
Conventional short form: 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 M. J. GRIMES (since NA)
Cabinet: Advisory Council

Legislative branch: none

Judicial branch: none

Political parties and leaders

International organization participation: none

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (territory of Australia)
From 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 had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine as no longer economically viable. Plans have been under way to reopen the mine and also to build a casino and hotel to develop tourism.

Real gdp purchasing power parity

Real gdp growth rate: NA%

Real gdp per capita: $NA

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
Note: all workers are employees of the phosphate-mining Company of Christmas Island Ltd.

Unemployment rate: NA%

Youth unemployment

Population below poverty line

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Distribution of family income gini index

Budget
Revenues: $N/A
Expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Taxes and other revenues

Public debt

Revenue

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

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
Commodoties: phosphate
Partners: Australia, NZ

Imports: $NA
Commodoties: consumer goods
Partners: principally Australia

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 - 1.3058 (January 1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704, (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990)


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Electricity
Capacity: 11,000 kW
Production: 30 million kWh
Production consumption per capita: 17,800 kWh (1990)

Coal

Petroleum

Crude oil

Refined petroleum

Natural gas

Carbon dioxide emissions

Energy consumption per capita


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Telephones

Telephone system: NA telephones
Local: NA
Intercity: NA
International: NA

Broadcast media

Internet

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
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1

Heliports

Pipelines

Railways

Roadways

Waterways

Merchant marine: none

Ports and terminals


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Disputes international: none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs