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 CLUNIES-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

12 30 S, 96 50 E

Southeast Asia

about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

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: South Point on South Island 9 m

fish

only Home Island and West Island are populated

cyclone season is October to April

freshwater resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs; illegal fishing a concern

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

Europeans, Cocos Malays

English 22.3%, Malay (Cocos dialect) 68.8%, unspecified 8.9% (2016 est.)

Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 75%, Anglican 3.5%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, none 12.9%, unspecified 6.3% (2016 est.)

only Home Island and West Island are populated

conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands

conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands

etymology: the name refers to the abundant coconut trees on the islands and to English Captain William KEELING, the first European to sight the islands in 1609

non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport

non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia

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 (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788)

history: 23 November 1955 (Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955)

amendments: amended many times, last in 2016 (2017)

common law based on the Australian model

18 years of age

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sir Peter COSGROVE (since 28 March 2014)

head of government: Administrator Natasha GRIGGS (since 5 October 2018)

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 for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia

description: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats; members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms with half the membership renewed every 2 years)

elections: last held in October 2017 (next to be held on 31 October 2019)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 5, women 2, percent of women 28.6%

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)

none

none

the flag of Australia is used

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.

vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts

copra products, tourism

1 July - 30 June

copra

foodstuffs

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: local area code - 08

international: international code - 61 8; telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat)

1 local radio station staffed by community volunteers; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available (2017)

.cc

defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a five-person police force

major seaport(s): Port Refuge

none