Ruqayyah Snyder
Christmas Island, officially the Territory of Christmas Island, is an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean. It is about 350 kilometres south of Java and Sumatra and about 1,550 kilometres northwest of the closest point on the Australian mainland. The island was transferred from Singapore to Australia in 1958 and is administered by the Australian government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Indian Ocean |
| Distance from Australia | 1,400 km (870 miles) to 1,550 km (840 nautical miles) northwest of the Australian mainland |
| Distance from Java | 350 km (190 nautical miles) to the south |
| Size | 135 square kilometres (52 sq mi) or 135,000 hectares; 19 km long and 14 km wide |
| Population | 1,692 as of 2021; estimated at 1,800 in 2023 |
| Population Demographics | Majority of Straits Chinese origin; significant numbers of Malays and European Australians; smaller numbers of Straits Indians and Eurasians |
| Languages | English, Malay, Chinese dialects, Indonesian, Thai, Japanese, and other European languages |
| Main Settlement | Flying Fish Cove (also known as "The Settlement") |
| Other Settlements | Poon Saan, Drumsite, Silver City |
| Highest Point | Murray Hill, 361 metres (1,184 feet) |
| Climate | Tropical; rainy season from December to April; average temperature of 27 °C (81 °F); average annual rainfall of 2,670 mm (113 inches) |
| Flora and Fauna | Tropical rainforest; seabirds; small reptiles; land crabs (including the red crab); insects; whale sharks; coral reefs; rare birds, fish, and mammals, including Abbott's Booby and the Christmas Island Frigatebird |
| Economy | Historically based on phosphate mining and extraction; transitioning towards tourism and related industries |
| Governance | Australian external territory; unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council with members elected every two years; administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications of the Australian government |
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What You'll Learn
Christmas Island is an Australian external territory
The territory derives its name from its discovery on Christmas Day 1643 by Captain William Mynors. The first European to sight Christmas Island was Richard Rowe of the Thomas in 1615. Mynors gave it its name. It was first settled in the late 19th century after abundant phosphate deposits were found, leading Britain to annex the island in 1888 and begin commercial mining in 1899. The island was invaded by the Japanese in 1942 to secure its phosphate deposits. In 1958, Britain officially transferred sovereignty of the island to Australia.
The main settlement and chief port is at Flying Fish Cove on the northeastern part of the island. The island's population consists mainly of people of Chinese ethnicity, along with a mixture of Europeans and Malay labourers. The population of Christmas Island was 1,692 as of 2021, with most living in settlements on its northern edge. The island's economy has historically been based primarily on mining and extracting phosphate. However, in recent years, the territory has been refocusing towards tourism and related industries to build a more sustainable economy.
Christmas Island is famous for its red crabs, whale sharks, coral reefs, and tropical rainforests. It is also known for its rich flora and fauna, with a high level of endemism due to its geographic isolation and minimal human disturbance. This makes the island a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.
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It is located in the Indian Ocean
Christmas Island is located in the Indian Ocean, about 224 miles (360 km) south of the island of Java and 870 miles (1,400 km) northwest of Australia. It is an external territory of Australia, officially named the Territory of Christmas Island. The island is the summit of an oceanic mountain, with its highest point, Murray Hill, rising to 1,184 feet (361 meters) in the western part of the island.
The island was first sighted in 1615 by Richard Rowe, master of the Thomas, but it was only named on Christmas Day in 1643 by Captain William Mynors. Due to its geographic isolation and minimal human disturbance, Christmas Island has a high level of endemism among its flora and fauna, making it a fascinating destination for scientists and naturalists.
The island's economy has historically been heavily reliant on the mining and extraction of phosphate, with most of its residents employed in this industry. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards tourism and related industries to create a more sustainable economy. The island is famous for its red crabs, whale sharks, and coral reefs, attracting visitors who enjoy snorkeling and diving.
Christmas Island has a population of around 1,692 as of 2021, with most people living in settlements on the northern edge. The main settlement and chief port is Flying Fish Cove, with other settlements including Poon Saan, Drumsite, and Silver City. The population consists mainly of people of Chinese ethnicity, along with Europeans and Malay laborers, and all are permanent residents of Australia.
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It is closer to Asia than mainland Australia
Christmas Island is an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean, about 224 miles (360 km) south of the Indonesian island of Java and 350 kilometres (190 nautical miles) south of Sumatra. It is about 870 miles (1,400 km) or 1,550 km (840 nmi) northwest of the closest point on the Australian mainland, making it closer to Asia than to Australia. The island is the summit of an oceanic mountain, with its highest point, Murray Hill, rising to 1,184 feet (361 meters) in the western part of the island.
The island was first sighted in 1615 by Richard Rowe, master of the Thomas, and was named on Christmas Day 1643 by Captain William Mynors. The island is about 2,623 kilometres (1,623 miles) northwest of Perth, Australia's closest major city, and can be reached by a four-hour direct flight from there.
Christmas Island's geographic isolation and minimal human disturbance have resulted in a high level of endemism among its flora and fauna, making it a fascinating destination for scientists and naturalists, as well as tourists. The island is known for its unique natural wonders, including red crabs, seabirds, whale sharks, and coral reefs.
The island's proximity to Asia has also influenced its culture and demographics. The population of around 1,800 people consists mainly of those with Chinese ethnicity, along with Europeans and Malay labourers. English is the official language, but other languages like Malay, Chinese dialects, Indonesian, Thai, and Japanese are also commonly spoken due to the island's proximity to these regions.
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It is about 350 kilometres south of Java and Sumatra
Christmas Island is an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean. It is located about 350 kilometres (190 nautical miles) south of the islands of Java and Sumatra. The island is geographically isolated, and its history of minimal human disturbance has resulted in a unique ecosystem. This has attracted the interest of scientists and naturalists.
The island is closer to Asia than mainland Australia, and its culture reflects this proximity. The island's population consists mainly of people of Chinese ethnicity, along with Europeans and Malay labourers. Several languages are spoken on the island, including English, Malay, and various Chinese dialects.
Christmas Island was first sighted in 1615 by Richard Rowe of the Thomas, but it was named by Captain William Mynors on Christmas Day, 1643. The island was annexed by Britain in 1888 after its men discovered its rich phosphate resources. The island was leased to the Christmas Island Phosphate Company Limited for phosphate mining and timber cutting.
The Japanese invaded Christmas Island during World War II to secure its phosphate deposits. After the war, sovereignty of the island was transferred from Singapore to Australia in 1958. The island became an Australian Territory on 1 October 1958 with the proclamation of the Christmas Island Act 1958–59.
Today, Christmas Island is known for its natural wonders, including red crabs, whale sharks, and coral reefs. The Australian government is working to develop tourism on the island, creating marine parks and facilitating tourism development.
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It is administered by the Australian government
Christmas Island is an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean, comprising the island of the same name. It is officially known as the Territory of Christmas Island. The island was first settled in the late 19th century after abundant phosphate deposits were discovered. This led to Britain annexing the island in 1888 and commencing commercial mining in 1899.
During World War II, the Japanese invaded the island in 1942 to secure its phosphate deposits. After the war, in 1948, the Australian and New Zealand governments, along with the British Phosphate Commissioners, acquired the interests and assets of the Christmas Island Phosphate Company. In 1958, Britain officially transferred sovereignty of the island to Australia, and it became an Australian territory.
The Australian administration of the territory was initially the responsibility of an Official Representative of the Australian Government. However, this arrangement changed in 1968 with the appointment of an Administrator reporting to the Minister for Territories. Today, the Australian governor-general appoints an administrator of Christmas Island, who has a staff for secretariat, education, postal, police, radio, and harbour duties.
The island's economy has historically been heavily reliant on phosphate mining and extraction, with exports mainly reaching countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards developing tourism and related industries to create a more sustainable economy. The Australian government has supported this transition by committing to creating two new marine parks near the island and facilitating tourism development through land releases for commercial and residential use.
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Frequently asked questions
Christmas Island is an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean, about 224-350 miles (360-520 km) south of the island of Java and Sumatra, and about 870-1,550 km (840-1400 nmi) northwest of the closest point on the Australian mainland.
Christmas Island is located 2623 kilometres northwest of Perth, Australia.
Christmas Island became an Australian territory on 1 October 1958 with the proclamation of the Christmas Island Act 1958–59.
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