Christmas Island

Territory of Christmas Island

territory of AustraliaIndependence none (territory of Australia)

Christmas Island as the 1995 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 72 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalThe Settlement

Area135 sq km

LocationSoutheastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of

1995

Every edition of Christmas Island

Populationas each edition published it

889 people July 1995 est. · 2,278 in 1990

Population growth% a year

-9% 1995 est. · -2.44% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 38 yrs in 2024

Geography

Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of | Indonesia

14 fields

Land useshare of 135 sq km

forest and woodland 0%other 100%arable land 0% in all · permanent crops 0% in all · meadows and pastures 0% in all

Area

135sq km

land area: 135 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

138.9km

land boundaries: 0 kmcontiguous zone: 12 nmexclusive fishing zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 3 nm

Location

Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia

Climate

tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds

Terrain

steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau

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

14 fields

Population

889

(July 1995 est.)growth rate: -9% (1995 est.)

Religions(1981)

Buddhist 36.1%Muslim 25.4%Christian 17.7% (Roman Catholic 8.2%, Church of England 3.2%, Presbyterian 0.9%, Uniting Church 0.4%, Methodist 0.2%, Baptist 0.1%, and other 4.7%)none 12.7%unknown 4.6%other 3.5% (1981)

Age structure

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

Birth rate

Death rate

Net migration rate

Infant mortality rate

Life expectancy at birth

total population:: NA
male:: NA
female:: NA

Total fertility rate

Nationality

noun:: Christmas Islander(s)
adjective:: Christmas Island

Ethnic divisions

Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population

Languages

English

Labor force

NA; by occupation: all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas Island, Ltd.

Government

Territory of Australia; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Administrator M. J. GRIMES (since NA)

17 fields

Names

conventional long form:: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form:: Christmas Island

Digraph

Type

territory of Australia

Capital

The Settlement

Administrative divisions

none (territory of Australia)

Independence

none (territory of Australia)

National holiday

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 M. J. GRIMES (since NA)
cabinet:: Advisory Council

Legislative branch

none

Judicial branch

none

Political parties and leaders

none

Member of

none

Diplomatic representation in US

none (territory of Australia)

US diplomatic representation

none (territory of Australia)

Flag

the flag of Australia is used

Economy

Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic | activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the | mine as no longer economically viable.

18 fields

Installed generating capacity, 11,000 kW

Electricity production

30 millionElectricity consumption per capita

17,800 (1990)

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. Plans have been under way to reopen the mine and also to build a casino and hotel to develop tourism.