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Geography of Christmas Island

Location:Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:10 30 S, 105 40 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 135 sq km
land: 135 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:138.9 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain:steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Natural resources:phosphate, beaches
Land use:arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park) (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues:loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining
Geography - note:located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean

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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