Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
NAIndependence none (territory of Australia)
Cocos (Keeling) Islands 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
The islands were discovered in 1609, but remained uninhabited until the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands is split between the mostly Europeans on West Island and the Malays on Home Island.
Geography
Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka
17 fieldsLocation
Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka
Area
total: 14 sq km land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Climate
pleasant, modified by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (1993 est.)
Environment - current issues
fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
People
16 fieldsReligions(1981 est.)
Government
NA; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator (non-resident) William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999) cabinet: NA elections: none
19 fieldsCountry name
conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
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 (non-resident) William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999) cabinet: NA elections: none;
- the monarch is hereditary;
- administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Economy
Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop.
29 fieldsEconomy - overview
Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia.
Labor force - by occupation
the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others
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: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type
Transportation
7 fieldsMilitary
1 fieldTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Cocos (Keeling) Islands.” The World Factbook 2001. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cocos-keeling-islands/2001.