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Territory of Christmas Island | |
| External territory of Australia | |
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| Anthem Advance Australia Fair | |
 | |
| Capital | Flying Fish Cove |
| Status | External territory |
| Administrator | |
| - From 2009 | Brian Lacy |
| Legislature | Shire Council |
| History | |
| - October 1, 1958 | Sovereignty transferred to Australia |
| Area | 135 km² |
| Population | |
| - 2009 | 1,402 |
| Density | 10.3/km² |
| Currency | Australian dollar |
 Colony of Christmas Island
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The Territory of Christmas Island is an external territory of Australia.
Background
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.[1]
Economy
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.[2]
Administrator
- Brian Lacy (₩) (October 5, 2009 - )
Nation
Australian Polities
Commonwealth of Australia (From 1905)- Australia: Territory of Papua and New Guinea (1949-1975)
- Australia: Territory of Papua (1906-1949)
- Australia: Territory of New Guinea (1919-1949)
Neighbouring Nations
- Indonesia
- New Zealand (Commonwealth realm)
- Papua New Guinea (Commonwealth realm)
- France (Overseas)
