Background: There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609 but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. From the 1820s to 1978 members of the CLUNIE-ROSS family controlled the islands and the copra produced from local coconuts. Annexed by the UK in 1857 the Cocos Islands were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. Apart from North Keeling Island which lies 30 kilometers north of the main group the islands form a horseshoe-shaped atoll surrounding a lagoon. North Keeling Island was declared a national park in 1995 and is administered by Parks Australia. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island.

Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S 96 50 E

Area
Rank: 241
Land: 14 km²
Water: 0 km²
Comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 26 km

Maritime claims
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate: tropical with high humidity moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year

Terrain: flat low-lying coral atolls

Elevation
Extremes highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use
Permanent crops: 0%
Other: 100% (2011)

Irrigated land: NA

Natural hazards: cyclone season is October to April

Geography
Note: islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation; site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island

Population: 596 (July 2014 est.)
Rank: 239
Growth rate: 0% (2014 est.)
Growth rate rank: 196

Nationality
Adjective: Cocos Islander

Ethnic groups: Europeans Cocos Malays

Languages: Malay (Cocos dialect) English

Religions: Sunni Muslim 80% other 20% (2002 est.)

Population growth rate: 0% (2014 est.)
Rank: 196

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

Infant mortality rate
Male: NA
Female: NA

Life expectancy at birth
Male: NA
Female: NA

Total fertility rate: NA (2014 est.)

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

Literacy: NA

Country name
Conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Government type: NA

Capital
Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S 96 50 E
Time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)

Independence: none (territory of Australia)

National holiday: Australia Day 26 January (1788)

Constitution: 23 November 1955 (Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955); amended many times last in 2010 (2010)

Legal system: common law based on the Australian model

Suffrage: 18 years of age

Executive branch
Head of government: Administrator (nonresident) Jon STANHOPE (since 5 October 2012)
Cabinet: NA
Elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Australian prime minister; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia for a two-year term and represents the monarch and Australia

Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)
Elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in October 2011 (next to be held in October 2013)

Judicial branch
Judge selection and term of office: NA
Subordinate courts: NA

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: Coconuts grown throughout the islands are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry.

Real gdp purchasing power parity: $N/A

Real gdp growth rate: 1% (2003)
Rank: 174

Agriculture products: vegetables bananas pawpaws coconuts

Industries: copra products tourism

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: 60% (2000 est.)
Rank: 198

Budget
Expenditures: $N/A

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Exports: $N/A
Commodities: copra

Imports: $N/A
Commodities: foodstuffs

Exchange rates:

Telephone system
Domestic: NA
International: country code - 61; telephone telex and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat) (2001)

Broadcast media: 1 local radio station staffed by community volunteers; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available (2009)

Internet
Country code: .cc
Hosts: 42,820 (2012)
Hosts rank: 99

Airports: 1 (2013)
Rank: 214
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1 (2013)

Roadways
Rank: 221
Paved: 10 km
Unpaved: 12 km (2007)

Disputes international: none