Christmas Island

non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia

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

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sam MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024) head of government: Administrator Farzian ZAINAL (since 11 May 2023) cabinet: NA election/appointment process: 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

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

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)

history: 1 October 1958 (Christmas Island Act 1958)

none

defense is the responsibility of Australia

tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)

total: 1,692 (2021 est.) male: 1,007 female: 685

1.11% (2014 est.)

0-14 years: 16.6% 15-64 years: 70.4% 65 years and over: 13% (2021)

Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% (2001) note: no indigenous population

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

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.)

phosphate, beaches

1 (2025)

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

percent of population: 78.6% (2016 est.)