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Christmas Island

The Territory of Christmas Island is an external overseas territory of Australia. The island is situated in the Indian Ocean. The Australian territory is a small island occupying total 135 sq km land area and it has no internal water source. The nearest neighbours of the island are Perth in Western Australia at 2600 km off the northwest, Jakarta, and Indonesia at 500 km off the south. The largest population resides in the settlement areas which comprises of the capital Flying Fish Cove, Silver City, Poon Saan and Drumsite. The settlement areas are located at the northern tip of the Christmas Island. 65% of the island makes the National park of the island which possesses a huge variety of flora and fauna. The island is surrounded by the rugged coasts. The island was named by William Mynors who landed on the island on the Christmas day in 1643. The external as well as the defense affairs are handled by Australia. It is administrated by the Australian Attorney-General's Department. The island has a school- Christmas Island District High School and a public library.

HISTORY:- Christmas Island was uninhabited for centuries. In the early 17th century the island was first discovered by the British and Dutch navigators. Captain William Mynors of the British East India Company landed into the island on the Christmas day in 1643, thereby derived the name of the island. William Dampier of Britain first landed on the island in 1688. The second visit was recorded in 1718, when Daniel Beekman described it in his ‘A Voyage to and from the Island of Borneo, in the East Indies’. In 1857, a troop of the Amethyst tried to reach to the land with vain attempts. In 1888, the island came under the British Empire. The island was governed by both the British Phosphate Commissioners and the United Kingdom Colonial Office through the Straits Settlements. Later it became a crown colony of Singapore. Japan invaded the island in 1942 and remained in power until the end of World War II in 1945. In 1957, United Kingdom switched over the power to Australia on Australia’s request. In 1958, Australian Official Representative arrived in the island. In 1968, an administrator took the control over the island. The Australian Indian Ocean Territories was formed with the merger of Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands. In 1997, Christmas Island became a single entity.

GEOGRAPHY:- Christmas Island is situated at 10 30 S, 105 40 E in the southeastern Asia. It is an island in the Indian Ocean. The total land area of the island is 135 sq km. The lowest point is located at the Indian Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Murray Hill (361 m). The island is surrounded by steep cliffs along the coastal zones. The central plateau is undulating upland. The island is mostly formed of tropical rainforest. 65% of the rainforest constitutes the National Park.

CLIMATE:- The climate of the Christmas Island is temperate, which is moderated by the trade winds. Moreover the island is hot and humid. It has a wet season from December to April and a dry season.

GOVERNMENT:- Christmas Island is a non-self governing territory of Australia. The administrative is carried out from Canberra by the Attorney-General's Department of Australia. The Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 is considered as the constitution in the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992. The legal system is based on the Australian law and legal procedures are looked after by the authority of the governor general of Australia. The three major branches of the administration are:

Executive branch comprises the Queen (chief of state), an Administrator (head of government). The Queen is represented by the governor general of Australia. The administrator is appointed by the governor general of Australia. The administrator also represents Australia and the Monarch in the island.

Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats).

Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, District Court, and the Magistrate's Court.

Political parties can not be formed as the administration is controlled by Australia.

The Australian citizens who live in the Christmas Island can vote in the Commonwealth federal elections. The islanders of the Christmas Island can represent in the House of Representatives through the Northern Territory Division of Lingiari and can represent in the Senate by Northern Territory Senators.

Initially the island had an informal flag which had been made official in 2002.

Queen of Australia      Elizabeth II

Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Michael Jeffery

Administrator       Neil Lucas

Shire President      Gordon Thomson

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Christmas Island is an Australian overseas territory, thus it has no administrative sub-divisions.

CULTURE:- Christmas Island has a wide range of cultural variety.

ECONOMY:- Phosphate mining had been the major economic activity in Christmas Island which was banned in 1987 by Australia government. Tourism is a strong pillar in the economy of the island. The National Park welcomes plenty of visitors every year.

Natural resources- phosphate, beaches

Industries- tourism, phosphate extraction

Exports - commodities: phosphate

Exports - partners: Australia, New Zealand (2006)

Imports - commodities: consumer goods

Imports - partners: mostly Australia (2006)

Currency - Australian dollar (AUD)

LANGUAGE:- English is the official language. Chinese and Malay are also widely spoken.

CITIES:- Capital Flying Fish Cove is the largest city of the island.

POPULATION:- The estimated population of the island is 1,402 until July 2007. 1,600 residents live in the settlement areas.

RACE:-

Chinese 70%

European 20%

Malay 10% (2001)

RELIGION:-

Buddhist 36%

Muslim 25%

Christian 18%

Other 21% (1997)

TRANSPORTATION:-

Airports: 1 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)

Roadways: total: 142 km; paved: 32 km; unpaved: 110 km (2006)

Ports and terminals: Flying Fish Cove

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