Coconut (Keeling) Islands

COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS

Located in the Indian Ocean, consisting of 2 atolls (27 small coral islands, of which only 3 are inhabited).

The largest islands are West and Home (2768 km northwest of Perth, Australia). They belong to Oceania.

Area — 14.2 km². The administrative center is located on West Island. Population - 900 people (2004), mainly Malays. Almost the entire population are citizens of Australia. The official language is English; Malay is also widely spoken. Religion: the majority of the population are Sunni Muslims. Currency — Australian dollar.

Governed by an official Australian representative - an administrator. There is an Island Council that oversees local governance.

Explored by English Captain W. Keeling in 1609. The first permanent settlements on the islands were established in 1826-27. Annexed by Great Britain in 1857, and in 1878 transferred to the administration of the government of the British possession of Ceylon. In 1903, they were included in the colony of Singapore. In November 1955, they were transferred to Australian administration. As a result of a referendum on April 6, 1984, the residents of the islands expressed their support for formal annexation to Australia. In December 1984, a resolution was adopted at the UN General Assembly session affirming the decision of the islanders.

The economy is primarily based on the cultivation of coconut palms, production, and export of copra. West Island has an airport providing connections to Australia.