The 1997 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau

      Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m

      Natural resources: phosphate

      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: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard

      Environment - current issues: NA

      Environment - international agreements: party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA

      Geography - note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean

      @Christmas Island:People

      Population: 743 (July 1997 est.)

      Age structure: 0–14 years: NA 15–64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

      Population growth rate: −8.98% (1997 est.)

      Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population

      Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population

      Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

      Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15–64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female total population : NA male(s)/female

      Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births

      Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years

      Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

      Nationality: noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island

      Ethnic groups: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population

      Religions: Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991)

      Languages: English

      @Christmas Island:Government

      Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form : Christmas Island

      Data code: KT

      Dependency status: territory of Australia

      Government type: NA

      National capital: The Settlement

      Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)

      Independence: none (territory of Australia)

      National holiday: NA

      Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958

      Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law

      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 (vacant); Official Secretary Merrilyn CHILVERS (since NA) is serving as acting administrator 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 Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms) elections: last held NA December 1996 (next to be held NA December 1997) election results : percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9

      Judicial branch: Supreme Court

      Political parties and leaders: none

      International organization participation: none

      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

      Economy - overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1990, the mine was reopened by private operators. Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $45 million casino on Christmas Island.

      GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA

      GDP - real growth rate: NA%

      GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA

      GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

      Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA%

      Labor force: total: NA by occupation: tourism 400 people, mining 100 people

      Unemployment rate: NA%

      Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

      Industries: phosphate extraction (near depletion)

      Industrial production growth rate: NA%

      Electricity - capacity: NA kW

      Electricity - production: NA kWh

      Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh

      Agriculture - products: NA

      Exports: $NA commodities: phosphate partners: Australia, NZ

      Imports: $NA commodities : consumer goods partners: principally Australia

      Debt - external: $NA

      Economic aid: none

      Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents

      Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.2735 (January 1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704, (1993), 1.3600 (1992)

      Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

      @Christmas Island:Communications

      Telephones: NA

      Telephone system: domestic: NA international : NA note: external telephone and telex services are provided by INTELSAT satellite

      Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

      Radios: 500 (1992)

      Television broadcast stations: 1

      Televisions: 350 (1992)

      @Christmas Island:Transportation

      Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines

      Highways: total: NA km paved : NA km unpaved: NA km

      Ports and harbors: Flying Fish Cove

      Merchant marine: none

      Airports: 1

      Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.)

      Military

      Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia

      Transnational Issues

      Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________

      CLIPPERTON ISLAND

      (possession of France)

      @Clipperton Island:Geography

      Location: Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico

      Geographic coordinates: 10 17 N, 109 13 W

      Map references: World

      Area: total: 7 sq km land : 7 sq km water: 0 sq km

      Area - comparative: about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington,