Statistical information Christmas Island 1999

Christmas Island in the World
top of pageBackground: 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.
top of pageLocation: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E
Map reference:
Southeast AsiaAreaTotal: 135 km²
Land: 135 km²
Water: 0 km²
Comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 138.9 km
Maritime claimsContiguous 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
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Natural resources: phosphate
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: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
GeographyNote: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
top of pagePopulation: 2,373 (July 1999 est.)
Growth rate: 7.77% (1999 est.)
Below poverty line: NA%
NationalityNoun: Christmas Islander(s)
Adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic groups: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population
Languages: English
Religions: Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991)
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 7.77% (1999 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: NA
International agreements party to: NA
International agreements signed but not ratified: NA
Air pollutantsSex ratioMothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: NA
Male: NA
Female: NA
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 Christmas Island
Conventional short form: Christmas Island
Government type: NA
Capital: The Settlement
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Dependent areasIndependence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958
Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrageExecutive branchChief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general
Head of government: Administrator (acting) Graham NICHOLLS (since NA)
Elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms)
Elections: last held NA December 1998 (next to be held NA December 1999)
Election results: percent of vote_NA; seats_independents 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: none
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: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1990, the mine was reopened by private operators. Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $45 million casino on Christmas Island.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: NA%
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity: $NA
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: NA%
Industry: NA%
Services: NA%
Agriculture products: NA
Industries: tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force: NA
By occupation tourism: 400 people
By occupation mining: 100 people
Unemployment rate: NA%
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty line: NA%
Gini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $N/A
Expenditures: $N/A, including capital expenditures of $N/A
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: 1 July_30 June
Inflation 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: phosphate
Partners: Australia, NZ
Imports: $NA
Commodities: consumer goods
Partners: principally 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: 1.5853 (January 1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994)
top of pageElectricityProduction: NA kWh
Production by source fossil fuel: NA%
Production by source hydro: NA%
Production by source nuclear: NA%
Production by source other: NA%
Consumption: NA kWh
Exports: NA kWh
Imports: NA kWh
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones: NA
Telephone systemDomestic: NA
International: NA
Note: external telephone and telex services are provided by Intelsat satellite
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband 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 (1998 est.)
With paved runways total: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
HeliportsPipelinesRailways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines
RoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marine: none
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes international: none
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs