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From: The CIA'sTHE WORLD FACTBOOK 1996

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Cocos (Keeling) Islands

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(territory of Australia)

Map

Location: 12 30 S, 96 50 E -- Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka

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Flag

Description: the flag of Australia is used

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Geography

Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total area: 14 sq km
land area: 14 sq km
comparative area: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2.6 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall
Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
natural hazards: cyclones may occur in the early months of the year
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation

People

Population: 609 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.94% (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: Cocos Islander(s)
adjective: Cocos Islander
Ethnic divisions:
West Island: Europeans
Home Island: Cocos Malays
Religions: Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.)
Languages: English

Government

Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Data code: CK
Type of government: territory of Australia
Capital: West Island
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955
Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws
Suffrage: NA
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Administrator John Bell READ (since NA) was appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the queen and Australia
Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council; President of the Islands Council Ronald GRANT (since NA)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: WMO
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: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia.
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
Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: copra products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 1,000 kW
production: 2 million kWh
consumption per capita: 2,980 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Exports: $NA
commodities: copra
partners: Australia
Imports: $NA
commodities: foodstuffs
partners: 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: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km
Ports: none; lagoon anchorage only
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: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 300 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
note: intermittent television service via satellite
Televisions: NA

Defense

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Original publicaton at http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/nsolo/wfb-all.htm (June 17, 1997).