🇨🇽 Christmas Island

About Christmas Island

Christmas Island, officially the Territory of Christmas Island, is an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean comprising the island of the same name. It is about 350 kilometres south of Java and Sumatra and about 1,550 km (840 nmi) north-west of the closest point on the Australian mainland. It has an area of 135 square kilometres (52 sq mi). Christmas Island's geographic isolation and history of minimal human disturbance has led to a high level of endemism among its flora and fauna, which is of interest to scientists and naturalists. The territory derives its name from its discovery on Christmas Day 1643 by Captain William Mynors.

At a Glance

Currency & Economy

Currency

Australian dollar (AUD)

Geography & Practical Details

Region

Oceania

Capital

Flying Fish Cove

Area

135 km²

Population

1,692

Timezone

UTC+07:00

Languages

English

Calling Code

+61

Drives On

Left

ISO Code

CX