Difference between revisions of "Christmas Island"
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(Copyedits, and let's use Australian spelling for an Australian article) |
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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 | + | '''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. |
| − | + | == Geography == | |
| − | The total area of Christmas Island is 135 square | + | 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 and in fact 63% of the Island is now a National Park. |
| − | + | == Population == | |
| − | The population of the island is | + | 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. |
| − | + | == Bibliography == | |
| − | *[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/kt.html CIA Factbook] | + | * [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/kt.html CIA Factbook] |
Revision as of 09:30, April 24, 2007
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.
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 and in fact 63% 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.