Official Name: Territory of Christmas Island
Capital: Flying Fish Cove
Christmas Island is an Australian external territory located in the Indian Ocean, south of Java, Indonesia. The island has a unique natural topography and is well-known for its distinctive wildlife.
Area: Approximately 135 square kilometers (approximately 52 square miles).
Population: Approximately 1,800 people (as of 2023 estimate).
Language: English is the official language, but Chinese and Malay are also spoken.
Christmas Island has a tropical monsoon climate, with a wet season from December to April and a dry season from May to November.
The economy is based on phosphate extraction, which is the island’s primary industry. Tourism also plays a part in the economy, with the island’s unique ecosystem drawing in nature enthusiasts.
As a territory of Australia, the head of state is the monarch of the United Kingdom, represented by the Australian Governor-General. Locally, Christmas Island is administered by an Administrator and local Island Council.
Education is available on the island up to secondary level, and follows the Western Australian system. The Christmas Island District High School caters to students from Kindergarten to Year 12.
The culture of Christmas Island is a blend of Australian, Chinese, and Malay influences. The island is known for its annual red crab migration, which is one of the most spectacular wildlife migrations on earth.
More than half of the island is a designated National Park, home to many species of animal and plant life unique to the island, including the red crab.
This is a general overview of Christmas Island. There’s much more to learn about this fascinating island, from its unique wildlife and ecosystems to its cultural traditions.
