Christmas Island
Territory of Christmas Island
NAIndependence none (territory of Australia)
Christmas Island as the 2004 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 97 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. 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 useshare of 135 sq km
Climate
- tropical with a wet and dry season;
- heat and humidity moderated by trade winds;
- wet season December to April
People
19 fieldsEthnic groups(2001)
Religions(1997)
Government
NA; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general; Administrator Evan WILLIAMS (since 1 November 2003)
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 by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general
- head of government:
- Administrator Evan WILLIAMS (since 1 November 2003)
- 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 four-year terms)
- elections:
- held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2005)
- election results:
- percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used; note - in early 1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally adopted as the official flag of the territory
Economy
Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine.
29 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. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, projected to begin operations in mid-2004
Exchange rates
Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.5419 (2003), 1.9354 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173(2000), 1.5497 (1999)
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- service provided by the Australian network
- domestic:
- only analog mobile telephone service is available
- international:
- country code - 61-891; satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000)
Transportation
4 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved only
Military
1 fieldTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Christmas Island.” The World Factbook 2004. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/christmas-island/2004.