Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement began by the UK in 1888.

Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958.

Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.

Source: CIA World Fact Book

Population: 1,402 (July 2006 est.) (July 2007 est.)

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Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

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Population growth rate: 0% (2007 est.)

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Birth rate: NA

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Death rate: NA

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Net migration rate: NA

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Sex ratio: NA

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Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA

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Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA

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Total fertility rate: NA

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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA

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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA

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HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

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Nationality: noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island

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Ethnic groups: Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% note: no indigenous population (2001)

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Religions: Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997)

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Languages: English (official), Chinese, Malay

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Literacy: NA

Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993, but closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, expected to begin operations in the near future.

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GDP (purchasing power parity): $NA

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Labor force: NA

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Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA

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Agriculture - products: NA

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Industries: tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)

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Exports: $NA

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Exports - commodities: phosphate

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Exports - partners: Australia, NZ (2006)

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Imports: $NA

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Imports - commodities: consumer goods

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Imports - partners: principally Australia (2006)

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Economic aid - recipient: $NA

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Currency (code): Australian dollar (AUD)

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Exchange rates: Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002)

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Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June