The 2004 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency
total: 14 sq km
note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
water: 0 sq km
land: 14 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
26 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds
for about nine months of the year
Terrain:
flat, low-lying coral atolls
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Natural hazards:
cyclone season is October to April
Environment - current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
Geography - note: islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation
People Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Population: 629 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure: 0–14 years: NA 15–64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.002% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:
NA births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:
NA deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA (2004 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:
NA children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Cocos Islander(s)
adjective: Cocos Islander
Ethnic groups:
Europeans, Cocos Malays
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.)
Languages:
Malay (Cocos dialect), English
Government Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Dependency status:
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the
Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Government type:
NA
Capital:
West Island
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of Australia)
Independence:
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:
Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
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 (since 6 February 1952),
represented by the Australian governor general
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed
by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and
Australia
head of government: Administrator (nonresident) Evan WILLIAMS (since
1 November 2003)
cabinet: NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)
elections: held every two years with half the members standing for
election; last held NA
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups 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 Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Economy - overview:
Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop.
Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but
additional food and most other necessities must be imported from
Australia. There is a small tourist industry.
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 (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: