Although Europeans sighted Christmas Island in 1615, it was named for the day of its rediscovery in 1643. Steep cliffs and dense jungle hampered attempts to explore the island over the next two centuries. The discovery of phosphate on the island in 1887 led to the UK annexing it the following year. In 1898, 200 Chinese indentured servants were brought in to work the mines, along with Malays, Sikhs, and a small number of Europeans. The UK administered Christmas Island from Singapore.
Japan invaded the island in 1942, but islanders sabotaged Japanese mining operations, making the mines relatively unproductive. After World War II, Australia and New Zealand bought the company mining the phosphate, and in 1958, the UK transferred sovereignty from Singapore to Australia in exchange for $20 million to compensate for the loss of future phosphate income. In 1980, Australia set up the Christmas Island National Park and expanded its boundaries throughout the 1980s until it covered more than 60% of the island’s territory. The phosphate mine was closed in 1987 because of environmental concerns, and Australia has rejected several efforts to reopen it.
In the 1980s, boats of asylum seekers started landing on Christmas Island, and the migrants claimed refugee status because they were on Australian territory. In 2001, Australia declared Christmas Island to be outside the Australian migration zone and built an immigration detention center on the island. Completed in 2008, the controversial detention center was closed in 2018 but then reopened in 2019. In 2020, the center served as a coronavirus quarantine facility for Australian citizens evacuated from China.
Geography
Location
Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates
10 30 S, 105 40 E
Map references
Southeast Asia
Area
total : 135 sq km
land: 135 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 222
Area – comparative
about three-quarters the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
138.9 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain
steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Elevation
highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
phosphate, beaches
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 100% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
NA
Population distribution
majority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island
Natural hazards
the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Geography – note
located along major sea lanes of the Indian Ocean
People and Society
Population
total: 1,692 (2021 est.)
male: 1,007
female: 685
comparison rankings: total 234; female 233; male 231
Nationality
noun: Christmas Islander(s)
adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic groups
Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% (2001)
note: no indigenous population
Languages
English (official) 27.6%, Mandarin 17.2%, Malay 17.1%, Cantonese 3.9%, Min Nan 1.6%, Tagalog 1%, other 4.5%, unspecified 27.1% (2016 est.)
note: data represent language spoken at home
Religions
Muslim 19.4%, Buddhist 18.3%, Roman Catholic 8.8%, Protestant 6.5% (includes Anglican 3.6%, Uniting Church 1.2%, other 1.7%), other Christian 3.3%, other 0.6%, none 15.3%, unspecified 27.7% (2016 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 16.6%
15-64 years: 70.4%
65 years and over: 13% (2021)
Median age
total: 38 years (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total 78
Population growth rate
1.11% (2014 est.)
comparison ranking: 84
Population distribution
majority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island
Environment
Environment – current issues
loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining
Climate
tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 100% (2018 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form: Christmas Island
etymology: named by English Captain William MYNORS for the day of its rediscovery, Christmas Day (25 December 1643); Europeans had sighted the island as early as 1615
Government type
non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia
Dependency status
non-self-governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development
Capital
name: The Settlement (Flying Fish Cove)
geographic coordinates: 10 25 S, 105 43 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: Flying Fish Cove was named after a British explorer’s ship in 1886
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Legal system
system is under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
Constitution
history: 1 October 1958 (Christmas Island Act 1958)
Citizenship
see Australia
Suffrage
18 years of age
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia General David HURLEY (since 1 July 2019)
head of government: Administrator Ms. Farzian ZAINAL (since 11 May 2023)
cabinet: NA
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Australian prime minister; administrator appointed by the governor-general of Australia for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch
legislature name: Christmas Island Shire Council
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 9 (directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: partial renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 10/2023
parties elected and seats per party: independent (9)
percentage of women in chamber: 13%
expected date of next election: October 2025
Judicial branch
highest court(s): under the terms of the Territorial Law Reform Act 1992, Western Australia provides court services as needed for the island, including the Supreme Court and subordinate courts (District Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Children’s Court, and Coroners’ Court)
Political parties
none
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: none (territory of Australia)
International organization participation
none
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday
Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788)
Flag description
territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist side to lower fly side; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird; the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island
note: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes
National symbol(s)
golden bosun bird
National anthem
note: as a territory of Australia, “Advance Australia Fair” remains official as the national anthem, while “God Save the King” serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income Australian territorial economy; development through government services and phosphate mining; operates Australia’s Immigration Detention Centre; increasing tourism and government investments; sustained environmental protections
Industries
tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Exports – partners
Indonesia 30%, USA 26%, Malaysia 12%, Ireland 8%, UK 7% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
fertilizers, paintings, amine compounds (2023)
note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000
Imports – partners
USA 58%, Australia 40%, Malaysia 1%, Fiji 0%, Singapore 0% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
aircraft, refined petroleum, cars, air conditioners, plastic products (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Exchange rates
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
1.505 (2023 est.)
1.442 (2022 est.)
1.331 (2021 est.)
1.453 (2020 est.)
1.439 (2019 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
1 community radio station; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations (2017)
Internet country code
.cx
Internet users
percent of population: 78.6% (2016 est.)
Transportation
Airports
1 (2025)
comparison ranking: 230
Railways
total: 18 km (2017)
standard gauge: 18 km (2017) 1.435-m (not in operation)
note: the 18-km Christmas Island Phosphate Company Railway between Flying Fish Cove and South Point was decommissioned in 1987; some tracks and scrap remain in place
Ports
total ports: 1 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 1
small: 0
very small: 0
ports with oil terminals: 0
key ports: Flying Fish Cove
Military and Security
Military – note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
