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

Map reference: Southeast Asia

Area
Total area total: 14 km²
Land: 14 km²
Comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 2.6 km

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

Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rain fall

Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls

Natural resources: fish

Land use
Arable land: NA%
Permanent crops: NA%
Meadows and pastures: NA%
Forest and woodland: NA%
Other: NA%

Irrigated land: NA km²

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia

Population: 604 (July 1995 est.)
Growth rate: 0.98% (1995 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Cocos Islander(s)
Adjective: Cocos Islander

Ethnic groups
West Island: Europeans
Home Island: Cocos Malays

Languages: English

Religions: Sunni Muslims

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

Population growth rate: 0.98% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: NA births/1000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1000 population

Environment
Current issues: there are no natural fresh water resources on the island, groundwater does accumulate in natural underground reservoirs
Current issues natural hazards: cyclones may occur in the early months of the year
Current issues international agreements: NA

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births

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

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

Country name
Conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Conventional short form: 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: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws

Suffrage: NA

Executive branch
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Head of government: Administrator B. CUNNINGHAM (since NA)
Cabinet: Islands Council; Chairman of the Islands Council Haji WAHIN bin Bynie (since NA)

Legislative branch: unicameral Islands Council

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

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

Economy 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 growth rate: NA%

Real gdp per capita: $NA

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

Industries: copra products

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: NA

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

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Exports: $NA
Commodoties: copra
Partners: Australia

Imports: $NA
Commodoties: foodstuffs
Partners: Australia

Debt external: $NA

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)

Electricity
Capacity: 1,000 kW
Production: 2 million kWh
Production consumption per capita: 2,980 kWh (1990)

Telephone system: NA telephones
Local: NA
Intercity: NA
International: linked by telephone, telex, and facsimile communications via satellite with Australia

Airports: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1

Merchant marine: none

Disputes international: none