Economic Overview
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. the australian government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, expected to begin operations in the near future.
Environmental Issues
Loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining
Government Type
Na
Population
1,402 (july 2007 est.)
Location
Southeastern asia, island in the indian ocean, south of indonesia
Area
Total: 135 sq km
land: 135 sq km
water: 0 sq km
About three-quarters the size of washington, dc
Country Aliases
Conventional long form: territory of christmas island
conventional short form: christmas island
Capital
Name: the settlement
geographic coordinates: 10 25 s, 105 43 e
time difference: utc+7 (12 hours ahead of washington, dc during standard time)
International Disputes
None
Sources: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
