Background: 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.

Geographic coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E

Map reference: Southeast Asia

Area
Total: 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 claims
Contiguous 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

Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Murray Hill 361 m

Natural resources: phosphate

Land use
Arable land: NA%
Permanent crops: NA%
Permanent pastures: NA%
Forests and woodland: NA%
Other: 100% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA km²

Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard

Geography
Note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean

Population: 2,373 (July 1999 est.)
Growth rate: 7.77% (1999 est.)
Below poverty line: NA%

Nationality
Noun: 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)

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

Population 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

Environment
Current issues: NA
International agreements party to: NA
International agreements signed but not ratified: NA

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1000 live births

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

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

Country name
Conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
Conventional short form: Christmas Island

Government type: NA

Capital: The Settlement

Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)

Independence: 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

Executive branch
Chief 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

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: 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 growth rate: NA%

Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity: $NA

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 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%

Population below poverty line: NA%

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

Fiscal year: 1 July_30 June

Exports: $NA
Commodities: phosphate
Partners: Australia, NZ

Imports: $NA
Commodities: consumer goods
Partners: principally Australia

Debt external: $NA

Exchange 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)

Electricity
Production: 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

Telephones: NA

Telephone system
Domestic: NA
International: NA
Note: external telephone and telex services are provided by Intelsat satellite

Airports: 1 (1998 est.)
With paved runways total: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1 (1998 est.)

Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines

Merchant marine: none

Disputes international: none