Christmas Island

Population: 2,771 (July 2001 est.)

Languages: English, Chinese, Malay

Background: Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. The phosphate mine, closed in 1987, was reopened...

Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD, AUD (AU$1.08 = US$1))

Data from CIA World Factbook. Click on CIA link for more. Click on map or flag for larger images.