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Government of Christmas Island

Country name:conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form: Christmas Island
Dependency status:non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Government type:NA
Capital:name: The Settlement
geographic coordinates: 10 25 S, 105 43 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:none (territory of Australia)
Independence:none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Constitution:Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992
Legal system:under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general
head of government: Administrator Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006)
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch:unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in May 2005 (next to be held in May 2007)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups 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:territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, while the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island; the flag of Australia is used for official purposes

Christmas Island Quickstats

  • Population: 1,402(July 2007 est.)
  • Area: 135 sq km
  • Density: 11.06 /km²
  • GDP (total):
  • GDP (per capita):
  • Literacy:

Languages of Christmas Island

Useful to know

  • Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
  • Dial code: +61

International Trade

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