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Cocos Islands

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are also called as Cocos Islands and Keeling Islands. The territory is an Australian external territory. The archipelago is formed of two atolls and 27 coral islands. The archipelago is situated in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, and about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka. West Island and Home Island are the two inhabited islands. The capital is West Island. There are only two schools in the islands in the West Island and Home Island. The external affairs and defense affairs are looked after by the Australian government. The islands have a five-person police force.

HISTORY:- Captain William Keeling first discovered the islands. The islands of Cocos (keeling) were uninhabited until 19th century. Clunies-Ross Family settled in the islands. To work in the coconut plantation, slaves were brought from the neighbouring countries. In 1857, the islands became a part of British Empire. Penang, Malacca and Singapore came under the rule of the Straits Settlements. The British queen granted the island to Clunies-Ross family in 1886. In 1914, the islands became an important base of the Battle of Cocos. During World War II, Japanese troop occupied the neighbouring nations. After the downfall of Singapore in 1942, Ceylon took over the control of the islands. In 1955, the islands were transferred under Australian control under the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955. Clunies-Ross family left the island.

GEOGRAPHY:- The Cocos (keeling) Islands are located at 12 30 S, 96 50 E in southeastern Asia in the Indian Ocean. The total land area of the Cocos (keeling) Islands is 14 sq km with no internal water base. Two main islands are West Island and Home Island. The coastline is 26 km long. The islands are mainly formed of flat and low-lying coral atolls. The lowest point is located at Indian Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is an unnamed location (5 m). The North Keeling Island comprises a single C shaped island while the South Keeling Islands comprise an atoll of 26 separate islets.

CLIMATE:- The climate of the islands is tropical with high humidity, which is moderated by the southeast trade winds for about 9 months of a year.

GOVERNMENT:- It is a non-self governing territory of Australia. The Attorney-General's Department of Australia governs the islands. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 works as the formal constitution. The legal system is based on the Australian and local laws. The three major branches of the governing body are:

Executive branch comprises the Queen (chief of state), a non-residential administrator. The administrator is appointed by the governor general of Australia. The administrator represents the monarch as well as Australia in the islands.

Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)

Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court and the Magistrate's Court.

Political party does not exist as it is an external territory of Australia.

Queen Elizabeth II

Administrator Neil Lucas

Shire President Mohammad Said Chongkin

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- The Cocos (keeling) Islands have no administrative sub-divisions.

ECONOMY:- Coconuts are the economic crop of the islands. Tourism also plays an important role in the small economy of the nation.

Unemployment rate: 60% (2000 est.)

Agriculture – products: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts

Industries: copra products and tourism

Exports - commodities: copra

Exports - partners: Australia (2006)

Imports – commodities: foodstuffs

Imports - partners: Australia (2006)

Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)

LANGUAGE:- Malay (Cocos dialect), English are the languages of the islands.

CITIES:- West Island is the Capital of the Cocos (keeling) Island. Bantam in the Home Island is the largest village.

POPULATION:-The population is estimated 596 until 2007. The West Island and Home Island are inhabited.

RACE:- The ethnic groups of Europeans, and Cocos Malays reside in the islands.

RELIGION:-

Sunni Muslim 80%

Other 20% (2002 est.)

TRANSPORTATION:-

Airports: 1 (2007)

Roadways: total: 22 km; paved: 10 km; unpaved: 12 km (2006)

Ports and terminals: Port Refuge

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