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. 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 three-quarters the size of Washington DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 138.9 km

Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Contiguous zone: 12 nm
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate: tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season December to April

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 beaches

Land use
Arable land: 0%
Permanent crops: 0%
Other: 100%
Note: mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park (2001)

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: 361 (July 2005 est.)
Growth rate: 0% (2005 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Christmas Islander
Adjective: Christmas Island

Ethnic groups
Note: no indigenous population (2001)

Languages: English (official) Chinese Malay

Religions: Buddhist 36% Muslim 25% Christian 18% other 21% (1997)

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

Population growth rate: 0% (2005 est.)

Birth rate: NA

Death rate: NA

Net migration rate: NA

Environment
Current issues: NA

Sex ratio: NA

Infant mortality rate
Total: NA
Male: NA
Female: NA

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

Total fertility rate: NA

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

Literacy: NA

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: Australia Day 26 January (1788)

Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 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 Evan WILLIAMS (since 1 November 2003)
Elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia

Legislative branch
Elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held in 2005)
Election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9

Judicial branch: Supreme Court; District 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; note - in early 1986 the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag however the winning design has never been formally adopted as the official flag of the territory

Economy overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991 the mine was reopened. With the support of the government a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island projected to begin operations in the near future

Real gdp purchasing power parity: NA

Real gdp growth rate: NA

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

Agriculture products: NA

Industries: tourism phosphate extraction (near depletion)

Labor force: NA
By occupation: NA

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

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Exports: NA
Commodities: phosphate
Partners: Australia NZ

Imports: NA
Commodities: consumer goods
Partners: principally Australia

Exchange rates: Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004) 1.5419 (2003) 1.8406 (2002) 1.9334 (2001) 1.7248 (2000)

Telephones
Main lines in use: NA
Mobile cellular: NA

Telephone system
General assessment: service provided by the Australian network
Domestic: GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system in February 2005
International: country code - 61-891; satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000)

Internet
Country code: .cx
Users: NA

Airports: 1 (2004 est.)
With paved runways total: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Disputes international: none