CHRISTMAS ISLAND (territory of Australia) GEOGRAPHY Total area: 135 km2; land area: 135 km2 Comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 138.9 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Natural resources: phosphate Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100% Environment: almost completely surrounded by a reef Note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean PEOPLE Population: 2,278 (July 1991), growth rate NA% (1991) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1991) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1991) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1991) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1991) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1991) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1991) Nationality: noun--Christmas Islander(s), adjective--Christmas Island Ethnic divisions: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%; no indigenous population Religion: Buddhist 36.1%, Muslim 25.4%, Christian 17.7% (Roman Catholic 8.2%, Church of England 3.2%, Presbyterian 0.9%, Uniting Church 0.4%, Methodist 0.2%, Baptist 0.1%, and other 4.7%), none 12.7%, unknown 4.6%, other 3.5% (1981) Language: English Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) Labor force: NA; all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas Island, Ltd. Organized labor: NA GOVERNMENT Long-form name: Territory of Christmas Island Type: territory of Australia Capital: The Settlement Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958 Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia National holiday: NA Executive branch: British monarch, governor general of Australia, administrator, Advisory Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: none Judicial branch: none Leaders: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government--Administrator A. D. TAYLOR (since NA) Communists: none Member of: none Diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: the flag of Australia is used ECONOMY Overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine as no longer economically viable. Plans have been under way to reopen the mine and also to build a casino and hotel to develop tourism, with a possible opening date during the first half of 1992. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 0% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA; commodities--phosphate; partners--Australia, NZ Imports: $NA; commodities--NA; partners--NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 11,000 kW capacity; 30 million kWh produced, 13,170 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: phosphate extraction (near depletion) Agriculture: NA Economic aid: none Currency: Australian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.2834 (January 1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986), 1.4269 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June COMMUNICATIONS Ports: Flying Fish Cove Airports: 1 usable with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 4,000 radios (1982) DEFENSE FORCES Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia