Background: A possession of the UK since 1857 the islands were transferred to Australia in 1955.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 42.6 km

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

Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall

Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls

Natural resources: fish

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

Geography
Note: located 1,070 km southwest of Sumatra (Indonesia) in the Indian Ocean about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka

Population: 616 (July 1989), growth rate 0.00% (1989)

Nationality: noun--Cocos Islander(s; adjective--Cocos Islander(s)

Ethnic groups: mostly Europeans on West Island and Cocos Malays on Home Island

Languages: English

Religions: NA

Birth rate: NA births/1000 population (1989)

Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population (1989)

Net migration rate: NA migrants/1000 population (1989)

Environment
Current issues: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births (1989)

Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1989)

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1989)

Literacy: NA%

Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Government type: territory of Australia

Capital: West Island

Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)

Independence: none (territory of Australia)

National holiday: NA

Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955

Legal system: the laws of Australia and local laws apply to the Territory; proposed ordinances, regulations, and bylaws for the Islands must be submitted to the Islands Council for its consideration

Suffrage: NA

Executive branch: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952; Head of Government--Administrator Carolyn STUART (since NA 19 ; Chairman of the Islands Council Parson Bin YAPAT (since NA 19 )

Legislative branch: an administrator, appointed by the Governor General of Australia, resides in the islands; the Cocas Malay community is represented by the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Council; supreme court

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

Flag description: the flag of Australia is used

Economy overview: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Both 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.

Agriculture products: gardens provide vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts

Industries: copra products

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: NA

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

Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June

Exports: $NA
Commodities: copra
Partners: Australia

Imports: $NA
Commodities: foodstuffs
Partners: Australia

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.1493 (January 1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986), 1.4269 (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: NA kW capacity; NA million kWh produced, kWh per capita

Airports: 1 airfield with permanent-surface runways, 2,440-3,659 m; airport on West Island is a link in service between Australia and South Africa