Christmas Island
Introduction
Background
Although Europeans sighted the island as early as 1615, it was only named in 1643 by English Captain William MYNORS for the day of its rediscovery. Another English ship sailed by the island in 1688 and found it uninhabited. Attempts to explore the island over the next two centuries were hampered by steep cliffs and dense jungle. Phosphate discovery on the island in 1887, lead to the UK annexing it the following year. In 1898, the Christmas Island Phosphate Company brought in 200 Chinese indentured servants to work the mines, along with Malays, Sikhs, and a small number of Europeans. The UK administered Christmas Island from Singapore.
Japan invaded the island in 1942, but islanders sabotaged Japanese mining operations, making the mines relatively unproductive. After World War II, Australia and New Zealand bought the Christmas Island Phosphate Company, and in 1958, the UK transferred sovereignty from Singapore to Australia in exchange for $20 million for the loss of future phosphate income. In 1980, Australia set up the Christmas Island National Park and expanded its boundaries throughout the 1980s until it covered more than 60% of the island’s territory. The phosphate mine was closed in 1987 because of environmental concerns and Australia has rejected several efforts to reopen it.
In the 1980s, boats of asylum seekers started landing on Christmas Island and the migrants claimed refugee status since they were on Australian territory. In 2001, Australia declared Christmas Island outside the Australian migration zone and built an immigration detention center on the island. Completed in 2008, the controversial detention center was officially closed in 2018, but then reopened in early 2019. In 2020, the center served as a coronavirus quarantine facility for Australian citizens evacuated from China.
Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
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 - comparative
about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
138.9 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain
steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Elevation
highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
phosphate, beaches
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 100% (2018 est.)
Population distribution
majority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island
Natural hazards
the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Geography - note
located along major sea lanes of the Indian Ocean
People and Society
Nationality
noun: Christmas Islander(s)
adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic groups
Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% (2001)
note: no indigenous population
Languages
English (official) 27.6%, Mandarin 17.2%, Malay 17.1%, Cantonese 3.9%, Min Nan 1.6%, Tagalog 1%, other 4.5%, unspecified 27.1% (2016 est.)
note: data represent language spoken at home
Religions
Muslim 19.4%, Buddhist 18.3%, Roman Catholic 8.8%, Protestant 6.5% (includes Anglican 3.6%, Uniting Church 1.2%, other 1.7%), other Christian 3.3%, other 0.6%, none 15.3%, unspecified 27.7% (2016 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 12.79% (male 147/female 135)
15-24 years: 12.2% (male 202/female 67)
25-54 years: 57.91% (male 955/female 322)
55-64 years: 11.66% (male 172/female 85)
65 years and over: 5.44% (male 84/female 36) (2017 est.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: NA
youth dependency ratio: NA
elderly dependency ratio: NA
potential support ratio: NA
Population distribution
majority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island
Infant mortality rate
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Drinking water source
improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: NA
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: NA
Environment
Environment - current issues
loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining
Climate
tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 100% (2018 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form: Christmas Island
etymology: named by English Captain William MYNORS for the day of its rediscovery, Christmas Day (25 December 1643); the island had been sighted by Europeans as early as 1615
Government type
non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia
Dependency status
non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development
Capital
name: The Settlement (Flying Fish Cove)
geographic coordinates: 10 25 S, 105 43 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: self-descriptive name for the main locus of population
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: 1 October 1958 (Christmas Island Act 1958)
amendments: amended many times, last in 2020
Legal system
legal system is under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
Citizenship
see Australia
Suffrage
18 years of age
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General David HURLEY (since 1 July 2019)
head of government: Acting Administrator Sarah VANDENBROEK (since 4 October 2022)
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 of Australia for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
elections: held every 2 years with half the members standing for election; last held in October 2021 (next to be held in October 2023)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - independent 9; composition as of 17 October 2021 - men 8, women 1, percent of women 11.1%
Judicial branch
highest court(s): 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
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; the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island
note: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes
National symbol(s)
golden bosun bird
National anthem
note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the King" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)
Economy
Economic overview
The main economic activities on Christmas Island are the mining of low grade phosphate, limited tourism, the provision of government services and, since 2005, the construction and operation of the Immigration Detention Center. The government sector includes administration, health, education, policing, customs, quarantine, and defense.
Industries
tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Budget
revenues: NA
expenditures: NA
Fiscal year
1 July - 30 June
Exports - partners
Malaysia 36%, New Zealand 21%, Indonesia 20%, Australia 10% (2019)
Exports - commodities
calcium phosphates, fertilizers, valves, air pumps, industrial printers (2019)
Imports
NA
Imports - partners
Australia 80%, United States 7%, Canada 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, iron structures, aircraft, crustaceans (2019)
Exchange rates
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
1.311 (2017 est.)
1.3442 (2016 est.)
1.3442 (2015)
1.3291 (2014 est.)
1.1094 (2013 est.)
Communications
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: internet access on Christmas Island is provided by satellite; improvements through the Regional Connectivity Program to the macro and small cell mobile sites will provide new and improved mobile, voice and data connectivity for residents and visitors; the upgrade will also support local businesses and community facilities, enabling increased residential access to essential services such as telehealth and education (2022)
domestic: improvements to Christmas Island include an upgrade to the macro cell base stations and deploy a new macro cell base station at the airport (2022)
international: international code - 61 8; ASC submarine cable to Singapore and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat provides telephone and telex service) (2019)
Broadcast media
1 community radio station; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations (2017)
Internet users
total: 790 (2016 est.)
percent of population: 36% (2016 est.)
Transportation
Airports - with paved runways
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)
Railways
total: 18 km (2017)
standard gauge: 18 km (2017) 1.435-m (not in operation)
note: the 18-km Christmas Island Phosphate Company Railway between Flying Fish Cove and South Point was decommissioned in 1987; some tracks and scrap remain in place
Roadways
total: 142 km (2011)
paved: 32 km (2011)
unpaved: 110 km (2011)
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Flying Fish Cove
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia