ilitary--note: defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues

Disputes--international: none

======================================================================

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands
-----------------------

Geography

Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian
Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia
to Sri Lanka

Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E

Map references: Southeast Asia

Area:
total: 14 sq km
land: 14 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island

Area--comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 2.6 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about
nine months of the year; moderate rainfall

Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 100% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: cyclones may occur in the early months of the
year

Environment--current issues: fresh water resources are limited to
rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs

Environment--international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA

Geography--note: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut
palms and other vegetation

People

Population: 636 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate: -0.21% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births

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

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

Nationality:
noun: Cocos Islander(s)
adjective: Cocos Islander

Ethnic groups: Europeans, Cocos Malays

Religions: Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.)

Languages: English, Malay

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (K