Page last updated on January 7, 2014
There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. From the 1820s to 1978, members of the CLUNIE-ROSS family controlled the islands and the copra produced from local coconuts. Annexed by the UK in 1857, the Cocos Islands were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. Apart from North Keeling Island, which lies 30 kilometers north of the main group, the islands form a horseshoe-shaped atoll surrounding a lagoon. North Keeling Island was declared a national park in 1995 and is administered by Parks Australia. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island.
Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka
total: 14 sq km
country comparison to the world: 241
land: 14 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year
flat, low-lying coral atolls
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2011)
cyclone season is October to April
freshwater resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation; site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island
noun: Cocos Islander(s)
adjective: Cocos Islander
Malay (Cocos dialect), English
Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.)
596 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 239
0% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
name: West Island
geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 96 50 E
time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
none (territory of Australia)
none (territory of Australia)
Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
23 November 1955 (Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955); amended many times, last in 2010 (2010)
common law based on the Australian model
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by the Australian governor general
head of government: Administrator (nonresident) Jon STANHOPE (since 5 October 2012)
cabinet: NA
elections: 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 two-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)
elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in October 2011 (next to be held in October 2013)
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)
judge selection and term of office: NA
subordinate courts: NA
The Cocos Islands Youth Support Centre
none (territory of Australia)
none (territory of Australia)
the flag of Australia is used
note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)
Coconuts, grown throughout the islands, are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry.
1% (2003)
country comparison to the world: 160
vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism is the other main source of employment
60% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
general assessment: telephone service is part of the Australian network; an operational local mobile-cellular network available; wireless Internet connectivity available
domestic: NA
international: country code - 61; telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat) (2001)
1 local radio station staffed by community volunteers; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available (2009)
42,820 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 99
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 214
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
total: 22 km
country comparison to the world: 221
paved: 10 km
unpaved: 12 km (2007)
major seaport(s): Port Refuge
defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a five-person police force
