Cocos (Keeling) Islands
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Cocos (Keeling) Islands Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 14 sq km land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island AreaŃcomparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2.6 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: 100% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: cyclones may occur in the early months of the year EnvironmentŃcurrent issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs EnvironmentŃinternational agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA GeographyŃnote: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation People Population: 637 (July 1998 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: -0.21% (1998 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman Nationality: noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander Ethnic groups: Europeans, Cocos Malays Religions: Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.) Languages: English, Malay Government Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Data code: CK Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories Government type: NA National capital: West Island Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: NA Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws Suffrage: NA Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general head of government: Administrator (acting) Maureen ELLIS (since NA) cabinet: NA elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the queen and Australia Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (NA seats) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none International organization participation: WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Economy EconomyŃoverview: 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. GDP: purchasing power parityŃ$NA GDPŃreal growth rate: NA% GDPŃper capita: purchasing power parityŃ$NA GDPŃcomposition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rateŃconsumer price index: NA% Labor force: NA note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage worker operations; tourism employs others Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: copra products and tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA% ElectricityŃcapacity: NA kW ElectricityŃproduction: NA kWh ElectricityŃconsumption per capita: NA kWh AgricultureŃproducts: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Exports: $NA commodities: copra partners: Australia Imports: $NA commodities: foodstuffs partners: Australia DebtŃexternal: $NA Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1Ń1.5281 (January 1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993) Fiscal year: 1 JulyŃ30 June Communications Telephones: NA Telephone system: domestic: NA international: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 Radios: 300 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0 note: intermittent television service via satellite Televisions: NA Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Ports and harbors: none; lagoon anchorage only Merchant marine: none Airports: 1 (1997 est.) AirportsŃwith paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.) Military MilitaryŃnote: defense is the responsibility of Australia Transnational Issues DisputesŃinternational: none