Difference between revisions of "Christmas Island"
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[[Image:ChristmasIslandFlag.gif |thumb|200px|The flag of Christmas Island]] | [[Image:ChristmasIslandFlag.gif |thumb|200px|The flag of Christmas Island]] | ||
[[Image:Christmaslsland.gif |thumb|200px|Christmas Island]] | [[Image:Christmaslsland.gif |thumb|200px|Christmas Island]] | ||
| − | '''Christmas Island''' is a territory of [[Australia]] located in the [[Indian Ocean]] south of [[Indonesia]] and northwest of Australia. It was first discovered by the the British on December 25, 1643, hence the name of the island. The [[United Kingdom]] handed over sovereignty of the island to [[Australia]] in 1958 and it has remained in Australia's control since. | + | '''Christmas Island''' is a territory of [[Australia]] located in the [[Indian Ocean]] south of [[Indonesia]] and northwest of Australia. It was first discovered by the the British on [[Christmas|December 25]], 1643, hence the name of the island. The [[United Kingdom]] handed over sovereignty of the island to [[Australia]] in 1958 and it has remained in Australia's control since. |
Christmas Island should not be confused with Kiritimati (formerly called Christmas Island; Kiritimati is the Gilbertese spelling of Christmas), which is an island in the [[Republic of Kiribati]] (pronounced Kiribass) <ref>CIA Factbook, [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/kr.html Kiribati]</ref> | Christmas Island should not be confused with Kiritimati (formerly called Christmas Island; Kiritimati is the Gilbertese spelling of Christmas), which is an island in the [[Republic of Kiribati]] (pronounced Kiribass) <ref>CIA Factbook, [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/kr.html Kiribati]</ref> | ||
== Geography == | == Geography == | ||
| − | The total area of Christmas Island is 135 square kilometres, roughly about 3/4 the size of [[Washington D.C.]] It is almost totally covered by tropical rain forests | + | The total area of Christmas Island is 135 square kilometres, roughly about 3/4 the size of [[Washington D.C.]] It is almost totally covered by tropical rain forests. Sixty-three per cent of the island is now a national park. |
== Population == | == Population == | ||
Revision as of 03:46, January 15, 2010
Christmas Island is a territory of Australia located in the Indian Ocean south of Indonesia and northwest of Australia. It was first discovered by the the British on December 25, 1643, hence the name of the island. The United Kingdom handed over sovereignty of the island to Australia in 1958 and it has remained in Australia's control since.
Christmas Island should not be confused with Kiritimati (formerly called Christmas Island; Kiritimati is the Gilbertese spelling of Christmas), which is an island in the Republic of Kiribati (pronounced Kiribass) [1]
Contents
Geography
The total area of Christmas Island is 135 square kilometres, roughly about 3/4 the size of Washington D.C. It is almost totally covered by tropical rain forests. Sixty-three per cent of the island is now a national park.
Population
The population of the island is estimated at 1,402 people. The island itself having no indigenous people is mostly made up of Chinese (70%) and European (20%) immigrants.
