Background: Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery the island was annexed and settlement began 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

Area
Rank: 222
Comparative: about three-quarters the size of Washington DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 138.9 km

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

Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau

Natural resources: phosphate beaches

Irrigated land: NA

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: 1496 (July 2010 est.)
Rank: 234
Growth rate: 1.136% (2010 est.)
Growth rate rank: 102

Ethnic groups: Chinese 70% European 20% Malay 10%

Languages: English (official) Chinese Malay

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

Population growth rate: 1.136% (2010 est.)
Rank: 102

Birth rate: -9 births/1000 population
Rank: 224

Death rate: -9 deaths/1000 population
Rank: 226

Net migration rate: NA

Environment
Current issues: loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining

Sex ratio: NA (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate: NA

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

Literacy: NA

Government type: NA

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) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992

Legal system: legal system is under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law

Suffrage: 18 years of age

Legislative branch: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

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: territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation representing Australia superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island

National symbols: golden bosun bird

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 but closed in 1998.

Real gdp purchasing power parity: $N/A

Agriculture products: NA

Labor force: NA

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Exports: $N/A
Commodities: phosphate

Imports: $N/A
Commodities: consumer goods

Exchange rates:

Broadcast media: 1 community radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations are received via satellite (2009)

Internet
Country code: .cx
Hosts: 3,028 (2012)
Hosts rank: 155
Users: 464 (2001)
Users rank: 217

Airports: 1 (2012)
Rank: 225

Railways
Rank: 133

Roadways
Rank: 211

Ports and terminals: Flying Fish Cove

Disputes international: none