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Basic Facts |
Country name |
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form: Christmas Island |
Gevernment type | NA |
Capital |
name: The Settlement
geographic coordinates: 18 44 N, 64 19 W time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
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 |
Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) |
Internet country code | .cx |
Ports and terminals | Flying Fish Cove |
Agriculture products | NA |
Industries | tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) |
Geography |
Location | Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia |
Coordinates | 10 30 S, 105 40 E |
Continent | Southeast Asia |
Area |
total: 135 sq km
land: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Boundaries | 0 km |
Coastline | 138.9 km |
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 |
Natural resources | phosphate, beaches |
Natural hazards | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard |
People |
Population | 1,493 (July 2006 est.) |
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 |