Christmas Island
Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island
NAIndependence none (territory of Australia)
Christmas Island as the 2001 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 101 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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. The phosphate mine, closed in 1987, was reopened four years later, but the need for an alternative industry has spurred investment in tourism. Old mining areas are being restored, and almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.
Geography
Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
17 fieldsLand use
arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA% note: mainly tropical rainforest of which 60%-70% is in a national park
People
16 fieldsReligions(1991)
Government
NA; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999) elections: none
18 fieldsChristmas Island Shire Council, 9 seatsone dot, one seat
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island
Dependency status
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999) elections: none;
- the monarch is hereditary;
- administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch
unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms) elections: last held NA December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2001) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9
Economy
Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine.
30 fieldsEconomy - 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 by union workers. With the support of the government, Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $34 million casino on Christmas Island, which opened in 1993.
As of yearend 1999, gaming facilities at the casino were temporarily closed but were expected to reopen in early 2000. Another economic prospect is the possible location of a space-launching site on the island.
Exchange rates
Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996)
Communications
10 fieldsTelephone system
general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service
Transportation
7 fieldsNetworkskm
Highways
total: 140 km (not including 100 km that is maintained by private industry) paved: 30 km unpaved: 110 km (1999)
Military
1 fieldTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Christmas Island.” The World Factbook 2001. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/christmas-island/2001.