Statistical information Cocos Islands 1997
Cocos Islands in the World
top of pageBackground: A possession of the UK since 1857 the islands were transferred to Australia in 1955.
top of pageLocation: Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E
Map reference:
Southeast AsiaAreaTotal: 14 km²
Land: 14 km²
Water: 0 km²
Note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2.6 km
Maritime claimsExclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall
Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: fish
Land useArable land: NA%
Permanent crops: NA%
Permanent pastures: NA%
Forests and woodland: NA%
Other: 100% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA km²
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: cyclones may occur in the early months of the year
GeographyNote: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation
top of pagePopulation: 617 (July 1997 est.)
Growth rate: 0.98% (1997 est.)
NationalityNoun: Cocos Islander(s)
Adjective: Cocos Islander
Ethnic groups: Europeans, Cocos Malays
Languages: English, Malay
Religions: Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.)
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 0.98% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1000 population
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt 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
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: NA years
Male: NA years
Female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracySchool life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Government type: NA
Capital: West Island
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Dependent areasIndependence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955
Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: NA
Executive branchChief 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
Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (NA seats)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: WMO
Diplomatic representationIn the us: none (territory of Australia)
From the us: none (territory of Australia)
Flag description: the flag of Australia is used
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy 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.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: NA%
Real gdp per capita pppGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: NA%
Industry: NA%
Services: NA%
Agriculture products: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Industries: copra products and tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force: NA
Note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage worker operations; tourism employs others
Unemployment rateYouth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $N/A
Expenditures: $N/A, including capital expenditures of $N/A
Public debtTaxes and other revenuesRevenueFiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Current account balanceInflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $NA
Commodities: copra
Partners: Australia
Imports: $NA
Commodities: foodstuffs
Partners: Australia
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $NA
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.2835 (January 1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992)
top of pageElectricity accessElectricity production: NA kWh
Electricity consumptionPer capita: NA kWh
Electricity exportsElectricity importsElectricity installed generating capacityElectricity transmission distribution lossesElectricity generation sourcesPetroleumRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones fixed linesTelephones mobile cellularTelephone systemDomestic: NA
International: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type
Broadcast mediaInternet country codeInternet usersBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresMilitary and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 1
With paved runways total: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports with paved runwaysTotal: 1
15-24 to 2437 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports with unpaved runwaysHeliportsPipelinesRailways: 0 km
RoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marine: none
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes international: none
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs