Christmas Island Flag

Christmas Island WA 6798 (Pop approx 1 200)

Christmas Island is a small tropical Australian territory. Located in the Indian Ocean 2 600 km n-w of Perth its nearest Australian point is Northwest Cape at approx 1 565 km n-w. 

The island has an area of 135 sq km and population of about 1 500 who live in various ‘settlement area’s on the island’s northern tip (Flying Fish Cove (the capital), Settlement, Silver City, Poon Saan and Drumsite. 65% of the island is National Park of mainly tropical rainforests of some 135 plant species. 

Christmas Island’s unique natural topography and numerous endemic flora and fauna species, result in it being of immense interest to scientists and naturalists. Having been uninhabited for so long, many of these species’ have evolved without human interference. Best known among them is the Christmas Island red crab which numbers some 100 million. Their annual migration (Nov) to the sea to spawn has been called on of the wonders of the natural world. There are also a number of land crabs and many sea birds on the island.

Named by a 17^th century sea captain as he arrived on Christmas Day (1643), the island was annexed by the British Crown in 1888 after lime phosphate discoveries. A settlement was established soon thereafter by G. Clunies Ross, the owner of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands 900 km s-w to collect timber and supplies. The island was invaded and occupied by the Japanese between 1942-45 and sovereignty was transferred to Australia in 1957. Together with the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island is part of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories and shares a single Administrator.

The ethnic population comprises 70% Chinese, 20% European and 10% Malays. English is the official language with Chinese and Malay also spoken. 75% of the island are Buddhists, with 12% Christian and 7% Muslim.

Postage stamps have been issued since 1958 whilst the only significant economic activity has been phosphate mining. A casino opened in 1993 and closed five years later.

There are weekly flights and charters from Perth and Singapore, a taxi service and a good road network.

Airport:

Christmas Island Internation Airport (XCH), Murray Rd, Christmas Island. Tel (08) 9164 8498.

Hospital:

Christmas Island Health Care. Tel (08) 9164 8333.