Christmas island flag of Christmas Island
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map of Christmas Island
Introduction: CHRISTSMAS ISLANDS
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
Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form: Christmas Island
Capital: The Settlement
Location: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Geographic Coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E
Area: total: 135 sq km
land: 135 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area Comparative: about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Land Boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 80 km
Maritime Claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season December to April
Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Elavation Extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Natural Resources: phosphate, beaches
GOVERNEMENT
Governement Type: NA
Administratives Divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence none (territory of Australia)
National Holiday: Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution: NA
Legal System; under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
Suffrage  
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 in 2005)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court
Political parties and Leaders: none
PEOPLE
Population: 361 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Median age:  
Nationality: noun: Christmas Islander(s)
adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic groups: Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%
note: no indigenous population (2001)
Religions: Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997)
Languages: English (official), Chinese, Malay
COMUNICATIONS
Telephones - main lines in use: NA
Telephones - mobile cellular: NA
Telephone 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)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)
Television broadcast stations: NA
Internet country code: .cx
Internet hosts:  
Internet users: NA
TRANSPORT
Railways:  
Highways: total: 240 km
paved: 30 km
unpaved: 210 km (2000)
Waterways:  
Pipelines:  
Ports and harbors: Flying Fish Cove
Merchant marine:  
Airports: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:  
Heliports:  
 
 
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