Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
non-self-governing overseas territory of AustraliaIndependence none (territory of Australia)
Cocos (Keeling) Islands as the 2016 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 75 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. From the 1820s to 1978, members of the CLUNIE-ROSS family controlled the islands and the copra produced from local coconuts. Annexed by the UK in 1857, the Cocos Islands were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. Apart from North Keeling Island, which lies 30 kilometers north of the main group, the islands form a horseshoe-shaped atoll surrounding a lagoon.
North Keeling Island was declared a national park in 1995 and is administered by Parks Australia. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island.
Geography
Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka
17 fieldsLand useshare of 14 sq km
Location
Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka
Climate
tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year
Environment - current issues
freshwater resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
Geography - note
- islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation;
- site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden;
- after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island
People and Society
12 fieldsGovernment
Non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Administrator (nonresident) Barry HAASE (since 6 October 2014)
21 fieldsCountry name
- conventional long form:
- Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- conventional short form:
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- etymology:
- the name refers to the abundant coconut trees on the islands and to English Captain William KEELING, the first European to sight the islands in 1609
Dependency status
non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
Capital
- name:
- West Island
- geographic coordinates:
- 12 10 S, 96 50 E
- time difference:
- UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Constitution
23 November 1955 (Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955); amended many times, last in 2010 (2016)
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sir Peter COSGROVE (since 28 March 2014)
- head of government:
- Administrator (nonresident) Barry HAASE (since 6 October 2014)
- cabinet:
- NA
- elections/appointments:
- the monarchy is hereditary;
- governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Australian prime minister;
- administrator appointed by for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch
- description:
- unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats; members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms with a portion of the membership renewed every 2 years)
- elections:
- held every 2 years with half the members standing for election; last held in October 2015 (next to be held in October 2017)
Judicial branch
highest court(s): under the terms of the Territorial Law Reform Act 1992, Western Australia provides court services as needed for the island including the Supreme Court and subordinate courts (District Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Children's Court, and Coroners' Court)
National anthem
note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)
Economy
Coconuts, grown throughout the islands, are the sole cash crop.
15 fieldsEconomy - overview
Coconuts, grown throughout the islands, are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry.
Labor force - by occupation
note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism is the other main source of employment
Exchange rates
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.3291 (2015) · 1.0358 (2013) · 1.0358 (2013) · 0.97 (2012) · 0.9695 (2011)
Communications
3 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- telephone service is part of the Australian network;
- an operational local mobile-cellular network available;
- wireless Internet connectivity available
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- country code - 61;
- telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite;
- satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat) (2001)
Broadcast media
1 local radio station staffed by community volunteers; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available (2009)
Transportation
4 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved only
Military and Security
1 fieldMilitary - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a five-person police force
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Cocos (Keeling) Islands.” The World Factbook 2016. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cocos-keeling-islands/2016.