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Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Introduction
Background
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 CLUNIES-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.
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Geography
Location
Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates
12 30 S, 96 50 E
Map references
Southeast Asia
Area
total: 14 sq km
land: 14 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Area - comparative
about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
26 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year
Terrain
flat, low-lying coral atolls
Elevation
highest point: South Point on South Island 9 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 100% (2018 est.)
Population distribution
only Home Island and West Island are populated
Natural hazards
cyclone season is October to April
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
Nationality
noun: Cocos Islander(s)
adjective: Cocos Islander
Ethnic groups
Europeans, Cocos Malays
Languages
English 22.3%, Malay (Cocos dialect) 68.8%, unspecified 8.9% (2016 est.)
note: data represent language spoken at home
Religions
Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 75%, Anglican 3.5%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, none 12.9%, unspecified 6.3% (2016 est.)
Population growth rate
NA (2021 est.)
Net migration rate
NA (2021 est.)
Population distribution
only Home Island and West Island are populated
Infant mortality rate
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
NA (2021 est.)
Environment
Environment - current issues
freshwater resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs; illegal fishing a concern
Climate
tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 100% (2018 est.)
Government
Country 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
Government type
non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia
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)
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday
Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788)
Constitution
history: 23 November 1955 (Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955)
amendments: amended many times, last in 2020
Legal system
common law based on the Australian model
Citizenship
see Australia
Suffrage
18 years of age
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 Natasha GRIGGS (since 5 October 2018)
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 the governor general 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 half the membership renewed every 2 years)
elections: last held in October 2017 (next to be held on 31 October 2019)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 5, women 2, percent of women 28.6%
Judicial branch
highest courts: 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)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: none (territory of Australia)
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used
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
Economic 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.
Agricultural products
vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Industries
copra products, tourism
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
Budget
revenues: NA
expenditures: NA
Fiscal year
1 July - 30 June
Exports
NA
Exports - partners
United States 57%, Ireland 15% (2019)
Exports - commodities
computers, packaged medicines, precious metal watches, office machinery/parts, chemical analysis instruments (2019)
Imports
NA
Imports - partners
Australia 73%, United Arab Emirates 15%, Netherlands 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
gold, x-ray equipment, cars, prefabricated buildings, packaged medicines (2019)
Exchange rates
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
1.311 (2017 est.)
1.3442 (2016 est.)
1.3442 (2015)
1.3291 (2014)
1.1094 (2013)
Communications
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: telephone service is part of the Australian network; an operational local mobile-cellular network available; wireless Internet connectivity available
domestic: local area code - 08
international: international code - 61 8; telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat)
Broadcast media
1 local radio station staffed by community volunteers; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available (2017)
Transportation
Airports - with paved runways
total: 1 (2019)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
Roadways
total: 22 km (2007)
paved: 10 km (2007)
unpaved: 12 km (2007)
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Port Refuge
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia