Christmas Island
Territory of Christmas Island
NAIndependence none (territory of Australia)
Christmas Island as the 2007 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 83 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 began 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 season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
People
18 fieldsEthnic groups(2001)
Religions(1997)
Government
NA; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general; Administrator Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006)
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
non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Capital
- name:
- The Settlement
- geographic coordinates:
- 10 25 S, 105 43 E
- time difference:
- UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general
- head of government:
- Administrator Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006)
- 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 20 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009)
- election results:
- percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
Flag description
- territorial flag;
- divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly;
- the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, while the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed;
- a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island;
- the flag of Australia is used for official purposes
Economy
Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine.
16 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, but closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, expected to begin operations in the near future.
Exchange rates
Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002)
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- service provided by the Australian network
- domestic:
- GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system in February 2005
- international:
- country code - 61-8; satellite earth stations - 1 INTELSAT earth station provides telephone and telex service (2005)
Television broadcast stations
0 (TV broadcasts received via satellite from mainland Australia) (2006)
Transportation
4 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved only
Military
1 fieldTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Christmas Island.” The World Factbook 2007. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/christmas-island/2007.