Background: The islands were discovered in 1609 but remained uninhabited until the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857 they were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands is split between the mostly Europeans on West Island and the Malays on Home Island.

Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S 96 50 E

Map reference: Southeast Asia

Area
Total: 14 km²
Land: 14 km²
Water: 0 km²
Note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington DC

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 winds for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall

Terrain: flat low-lying coral atolls

Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use
Arable land: 0%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 0%
Forests and woodland: 0%
Other: 100% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA km²

Natural hazards: cyclones may occur in the early months of the year

Geography
Note: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation

Population: 633 (July 2001 est.)
Growth rate: -0.21% (2001 est.)
Below poverty line: NA%

Nationality
Noun: Cocos Islander
Adjective: Cocos Islander

Ethnic groups: Europeans Cocos Malays

Languages: English Malay

Religions: Sunni Muslim 57% Christian 22% other 21% (1981 est.)

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

Population growth rate: -0.21% (2001 est.)

Birth rate: NA births/1000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1000 population

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

Environment
Current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs

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

Hivaids
Adult prevalence rate: NA%
People living with hivaids: NA
Deaths: NA

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

Government type: NA

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), represented by the Australian governor general
Head of government: Administrator (non-resident) William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999)
Cabinet: NA
Elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia

Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (NA seats)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court

Political parties and leaders: none

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: purchasing power parity - $NA

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: NA%
Industry: NA%
Services: NA%

Agriculture products: vegetables bananas pawpaws coconuts

Industries: copra products and tourism

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: NA
By occupation: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers stevedores and lighterage workers; tourism employs others

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share
Lowest 10: NA%
Highest 10: NA%

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

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Inflation rate consumer prices: NA%

Exports: $NA
Commodities: copra
Partners: Australia

Imports: $NA
Commodities: foodstuffs
Partners: Australia

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001) 1.7173 (2000) 1.5497 (1999) 1.5888 (1998) 1.3439 (1997) 1.2773 (1996)

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

Telephones
Main lines in use: NA (1999)
Mobile cellular: 0 (1999)

Telephone system
General assessment: NA
Domestic: NA
International: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type

Internet
Country code: .cc
Service providers isps: 2 (2000)
Users: NA

Airports: 1 (2000 est.)
With paved runways total: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1 (2000 est.)

Railways: 0 km

Waterways: none

Merchant marine: none (2000 est.)