1993 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1993 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
total area: 14 km2 land area: 14 km2 comparative area: about 24 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Climate
pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rain fall
Coastline
2.6 km
Environment
two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
NA km2
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Location
in the Indian Ocean, 1,070 km southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka
Map references
Southeast Asia
Maritime claims
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Natural resources
fish
Terrain
flat, low-lying coral atolls
People and Society
Birth rate
NA births/1,000 population
Death rate
NA deaths/1,000 population
Home Island
Cocos Malays
Infant mortality rate
NA deaths/1,000 live births
Labor force
NA
Languages
English
Life expectancy at birth
total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Literacy
total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
Nationality
noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander
Net migration rate
NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Population
593 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate
-0.53% (1993 est.)
Religions
Sunni Muslims
Total fertility rate
NA children born/women
West Island
Europeans
Government
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Capital
West Island
Chief of State
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Constitution
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955
Digraph
CK
Diplomatic representation in US
none (territory of Australia)
Elections
NA
Executive branch
British monarch, governor general of Australia, administrator, chairman of the Islands Council
Flag
the flag of Australia is used
Head of Government
Administrator B. CUNNINGHAM (since NA); Chairman of the Islands Council Haji WAHIN bin Bynie (since NA)
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
Legal system
based upon the laws of Australia and local laws
Legislative branch
unicameral Islands Council
Member of
none
Names
conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
National holiday
NA
Political parties and leaders
NA
Suffrage
NA
Type
territory of Australia
US diplomatic representation
none (territory of Australia)
Economy
Agriculture
gardens provide vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Budget
revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Currency
1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Economic aid
none
Electricity
1,000 kW capacity; 2 million kWh produced, 2,980 kWh per capita (1990)
Exchange rates
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4837 (January 1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988)
Exports
$NA commodities: copra partners: Australia
External debt
$NA
Fiscal year
1 July - 30 June
Imports
$NA commodities: foodstuffs partners: Australia
Industrial production
growth rate NA%
Industries
copra products
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
NA%
National product
GDP $NA
National product per capita
$NA
National product real growth rate
NA%
Overview
Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole 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.
Communications
Airports
total: 1 useable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: with runways 2,440-3,659 m: with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1
Ports
none; lagoon anchorage only
Telecommunications
250 radios (1985); linked by telephone, telex, and facsimile communications via satellite with Australia; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of Australia