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

Area
Total: 14 km²
Land: 14 km²
Comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Comparative 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
Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Highest point: 5 m

Natural resources: Fish

Land use
Arable land: NA
Permanent crops: NA
Permanent pastures: NA
Forests and woodland: NA
Other: NA

Irrigated land: NA

Population:
Growth rate:

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

Ethnic groups: West Island:Europeans Home Island:Cocos Malays

Languages: English

Religions:

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

Population growth rate:

Birth rate: NA births/1000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1000 population Infant Mortality Rate:NA deaths/1000 live births

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
International agreements: NA
International agreements note: Two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation

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 John Bell READ (since NA) was appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the queen and Australia

Legislative branch: Unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council; President of the Islands Council Ronald GRANT (since NA)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

International organization participation: None

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. GDP NA

Real gdp growth rate: NA

Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity_ NA

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

Industries: Copra products

Industrial production growth rate: Growth rate NA

Labor force: NA

Budget
Revenues: NA
Expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Fiscal year: 1 July_30 June

Exports: total value. NA
Commodities: Copra
Partners: Australia

Imports: total value:NA
Commodities: Foodstuffs
Partners: Australia

Debt external: NA

Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1: 1.3477 (January 1996), 1.3486 (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
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
15-24 to 2437 m: 1

Merchant marine: None