land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can
be a maritime hazard
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
People———
Population: 813 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0–14 years: NA 15–64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: −8.98% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15–64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality: noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%,
no indigenous population
Religions: Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20%
(1991)
Languages: English
Government—————
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form: Christmas Island
Data code: KT
Type of government: territory of Australia
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
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Administrator Danny Ambrose GILLESPIE (since NA)
was appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents
the queen and Australia
cabinet: Christmas Island Shire Council
Legislative branch: none
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia)
Flag: the flag of Australia is used
Economy———
Economic overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine as no longer economically viable. Private operators reopened the mine in 1990 under strict environmental controls, in particular to preserve the rain forest. A hotel and casino complex opened in 1993, and tourism is a likely growth sector.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
by occupation: all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining
Company of Christmas Island, Ltd.
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 11,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 17,800 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: NA
Exports: $NA
commodities: phosphate
partners: Australia, NZ
Imports: $NA
commodities: consumer goods
partners: principally Australia
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January 1996),1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704, (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation———————
Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports: Flying Fish Cove
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications———————
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 500 (1992)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 350 (1992)
Defense———
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
======================================================================
@Clipperton Island————————
(possession of France)
Map—
Location: 10 17 N, 109 13 W—Middle America, atoll in the North
Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
Flag——
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography————
Location: Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120
km southwest of Mexico
Geographic