The 1997 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency
steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Natural resources: phosphate
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland : NA% other: 100% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues: NA
Environment - international agreements: party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography - note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
@Christmas Island:People
Population: 743 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0–14 years: NA 15–64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: −8.98% (1997 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 total population : 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 groups: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population
Religions: Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991)
Languages: English
@Christmas Island:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form : Christmas Island
Data code: KT
Dependency status: territory of Australia
Government type: NA
National 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 and Australian law
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government : Administrator (vacant); Official Secretary Merrilyn CHILVERS (since NA) is serving as acting administrator elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the queen and Australia
Legislative branch: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms) elections: last held NA December 1996 (next to be held NA December 1997) election results : percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia)
Flag description: the flag of Australia is used
Economy
Economy - overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1990, the mine was reopened by private operators. Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $45 million casino on Christmas Island.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: total: NA by occupation: tourism 400 people, mining 100 people
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: NA kW
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: NA
Exports: $NA commodities: phosphate partners: Australia, NZ
Imports: $NA commodities : consumer goods partners: principally Australia
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.2735 (January 1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704, (1993), 1.3600 (1992)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Christmas Island:Communications
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: domestic: NA international : NA note: external telephone and telex services are provided by INTELSAT satellite
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 500 (1992)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 350 (1992)
@Christmas Island:Transportation
Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines
Highways: total: NA km paved : NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: Flying Fish Cove
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
CLIPPERTON ISLAND
(possession of France)
@Clipperton Island:Geography
Location: Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 10 17 N, 109 13 W
Map references: World
Area: total: 7 sq km land : 7 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington,