The Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, also called Cocos Islands and Keeling Islands, is a territory of Australia. There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered
the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century.
Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferred to the Australian Government
in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split
between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on
Home Island.
Vast numbers of Coconut Trees grow thruout the cocos islands. In fact, coconuts are the islands only 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. The main diet for cocos and keeling islanders is a marine diet which is based to a large degree on locally caught fish consumption and marine based foods.
There is a small but growing tourist industry. The Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage worker operations. Tourism employs others. The unemployment rate has been estimated as high as 60% in 2000.
The islands are connected within Australia's telecommunication system (with number range +61 8 9162 xxxx) and postal system (post code: 6799). There is one paved airport (on the West Island) and a lagoon boat anchorage.
Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest
of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka
Climate is tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast
trade winds for about nine months of the year
Terrain is flat, low-lying coral atolls
Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% - permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Natural hazards:
cyclone (hurricane) 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
tropical vegetation
The Keeling and Cocos Islands are located about 4,000 miles NW from Sydney Austalia and 2,300 miles west of Darwin, Australia.
Cocos-Keeling Island is located almost exactly on the opposite side of the Earth compared to Cocos Island, Costa Rica.
Population: 637 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA - 15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.21% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA
male: NA - female: NA
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality: noun: Cocos Islander(s)
adjective: Cocos Islander
Ethnic groups: Europeans, Cocos Malays
Religions: Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.)
Languages: English, Malay
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