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World > Asia > Christmas Island
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Christmas Island |
Introduction:
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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.
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| Official name: |
Territory of Christmas Island |
| 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) |
| Government type: |
NA |
| Population: |
1,402 (July 2006 est.) (July 2007 est.) |
| Languages: |
English (official), Chinese, Malay |
| Official Currency: |
Australian Dollar (AUD)
Current Australian Dollar Exchange Rates
Historical Australian Dollar Exchange Rates
Chart Australian Dollar Exchange Rates |
| Currency code: |
AUD |
| Area: |
total: 135 sq km
land: 135 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
| Climate: |
tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds |
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Map of Christmas Island
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