Christmas Island
|
| 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 |
