Christmas Island

CHRISTMAS ISLAND

Located in Oceania, in the southeastern part of the Indian Ocean, 2623 km northwest of Perth (Australia) and 360 km from Java. Area - 135 km². Population - 1.5 thousand (2004), predominantly of Chinese and Malay descent. The official language is English.

Europeans first arrived on the island in 1615. It was officially declared a possession of Great Britain in 1888, and the first settlement was established in the same year (after phosphate deposits were discovered). Until 1958, it was under the authority of British officials in Singapore. In 1958, the island was transferred to the administration of Australia.

It is governed by an administrator representing the Australian government. There is an Advisory Council under the administrator. The economy is primarily based on phosphate mining.

Local radio and television are operational.