There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. From the 1820s to 1978, members of the CLUNIE-ROSS family controlled the islands and the copra produced from local coconuts. Annexed by the UK in 1857, the Cocos Islands were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island.

Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka

about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year

flat, low-lying coral atolls

cyclone season is October to April

fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs

islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation; site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island

596 (July 2010 est.)

Europeans, Cocos Malays

Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.)

Malay (Cocos dialect), English

non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department

none (territory of Australia)

Australia Day, 26 January (1788)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1955) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992

based upon the laws of Australia and local laws

unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)

Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court

The Cocos Islands Youth Support Centre

none (territory of Australia)

the flag of Australia is used

Coconuts, grown throughout the islands, are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry.

vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts

copra products and tourism

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2894 (2009), 1.2059 (2008), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005)

1 local radio station staffed by community volunteers; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations are received via satellite (2009)

defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a five-person police force