Geography 
Economy 
Defense Forces
People 
Transportation 
Government
Communications 
History 
Travel
GEOGRAPHY
Location
Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Area
- Total area: 135 sq km
- Land area: 135 sq km
- Comparative area: about 0.8 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
International Disputes
None
Climate
Tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain
Steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Natural Resources
Land Use
- Arable land: 0%
- Permanent crops: 0%
- Meadows and pastures: 0%
- Forest and woodland: 0%
- Other: 100%
Irrigated Land
NA
Environment
- Current issues: NA
- Natural hazards: almost completely surrounded by a reef which can be a maritime hazard
- International agreements: NA
Note: Located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
PEOPLE
Population
813 (July 1996 est.)
889 (July 1995 est.)
Age Structure
0-14 Years
NA
15-64 Years
NA
65 Years and Over
NA
Population Growth Rate
-8.98% (1996 est.)
-9% (1995 est.)
Birth Rate
NA
Death Rate
NA
Net Migration Rate
NA
Infant Mortality Rate
NA
Life Expectancy at Birth
- Total population: NA
- Male: NA
- Female: NA
Total Fertility Rate
NA
Nationality
- Noun: Christmas Islander(s)
- Adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic Divisions
- Chinese 61%
- Malay 25%
- European 11%
- Other 3%
- No indigenous population
Religions
Languages
English
Labor Force
NA
By occupation:
- All workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas Island, Ltd.
GOVERNMENT
Names
- Conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
- Conventional short form: Christmas Island
Digraph
KT
Type
Territory of Australia
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
Executive Branch
- Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
- Head of government: Administrator Danny Ambrose GILLESPIE (since NA) was appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the queen and Australia
- Cabinet: Christmas Island Shire Council
Legislative Branch
None
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court
Political Parties and Leaders
None
Member of
None
Flag
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 as no longer economically viable. Private operators reopened the mine in 1990 under strict environmental controls, in particular to preserve the rain forest. A hotel and casino complex opened in 1993, and tourism is a likely growth sector.
National Product
GDP NA
National Product Real Growth Rate
NA
National Product Per Capita
NA
Inflation Rate (consumer Prices)
NA
Unemployment Rate
NA
Budget
- Revenues: NA
- Expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA
Exports
NA
Commodities:
Partners:
Imports
NA
Commodities:
Partners:
External Debt
NA
Industrial Production
Growth rate NA
Electricity
- Capacity: 11,000 kW
- Production: 30 million kWh
- Consumption per capita: 17,800 kWh (1990)
Industries
- Phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Agriculture
NA
Economic Aid
None
Currency
1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January 1996),1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704, (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990)
Fiscal Year
1 July - 30 June
TRANSPORTATION
Railroads
24 km to serve phosphate mines
Highways
- Total: NA km
- Paved: NA km
- Unpaved: NA km
Ports
Flying Fish Cove
Merchant Marine
None
Airports
- Total: 1
- With paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone System
NA telephones
- Local: NA
- Intercity: NA
- International: NA
Radio
- Broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
- Radios: 500 (1992)
Television
- Broadcast stations: 1
- Televisions: 350 (1992)
DEFENSE FORCES
Note: Defense is the responsibility of Australia
History
World Atlas
last modified: 14 october 1997
