Christmas Island Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 135 sq km land: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km AreaÑcomparative: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 138.9 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m Natural resources: phosphate Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: 100% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard EnvironmentÑcurrent issues: NA EnvironmentÑinternational agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA GeographyÑnote: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean People Population: 2,195 (July 1998 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 7.77% (1998 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman Nationality: noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island Ethnic groups: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population Religions: Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991) Languages: English Government Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island Data code: KT Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories Government type: NA National capital: The Settlement Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: NA Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958 Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator (acting) Graham NICHOLLS (since NA) elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the queen and Australia Legislative branch: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms) elections: last held NA December 1996 (next to be held NA December 1997) election results: percent of voteÑNA; seatsÑindependents 9 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy EconomyÑoverview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1990, the mine was reopened by private operators. Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $45 million casino on Christmas Island. GDP: purchasing power parityÑ$NA GDPÑreal growth rate: NA% GDPÑper capita: purchasing power parityÑ$NA GDPÑcomposition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rateÑconsumer price index: NA% Labor force: total: NA by occupation: tourism 400 people, mining 100 people Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) Industrial production growth rate: NA% ElectricityÑcapacity: NA kW ElectricityÑproduction: NA kWh ElectricityÑconsumption per capita: NA kWh AgricultureÑproducts: NA Exports: $NA commodities: phosphate partners: Australia, NZ Imports: $NA commodities: consumer goods partners: principally Australia DebtÑexternal: $NA Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1Ñ1.5281 (January 1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704, (1993) Fiscal year: 1 JulyÑ30 June Communications Telephones: NA Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA note: external telephone and telex services are provided by Intelsat satellite Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 Radios: 500 (1992) Television broadcast stations: 1 Televisions: 350 (1992) Transportation Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Ports and harbors: Flying Fish Cove Merchant marine: none Airports: 1 (1997 est.) AirportsÑwith paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Military MilitaryÑnote: defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues DisputesÑinternational: none