Jump to content

Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m Reverted edits by 12.151.252.140 (talk) unexplained removal of content (HG)
Replaced content with 'all of this was false.. ha ha ha ha aha ha ha ha ha aha!!!!'
Line 1: Line 1:
all of this was false.. ha ha ha ha aha ha ha ha ha aha!!!!
{{redirect-distinguish|Cocos Islands|Cocos Island|Coco Islands}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2010}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2010}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2009}}

{{pp-move-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Infobox Country
|name = Territory of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
|common_name = Cocos (Keeling) Islands
|image_flag = Flag of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.svg
|image_coat = Armoiries des îles Cocos.svg
|motto = ''Maju Pulu Kita''
|image_map = Keelingislands.png
|map_caption = The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are one of Australia's [[States and territories of Australia|territories]]
|national_anthem =
|official_languages = English (''[[de facto]]'')
|capital = [[West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands|West Island]]
|largest_settlement_type = village
|largest_settlement = [[Bantam, Cocos (Keeling) Islands|Bantam]]{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}} ([[Home Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands|Home Island]])
|government_type = [[Federal constitutional monarchy]]
|leader_title1 = [[Queen of Australia|Queen]]
|leader_name1 = [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
|leader_title2 = [[Administrator of Cocos (Keeling) Islands|Administrator]]
|leader_name2 = [[Brian Lacy]]
|leader_title3 = [[Shire of Cocos|Shire President]]
|leader_name3 = [[Balmut Pirus (Australian administrator)|Balmut Pirus]]
|sovereignty_type = [[States and territories of Australia|Territory of Australia]]
|established_event1 = Annexed by<br/>[[British Empire]]
|established_date1 = <br/>1857
|established_event2 = Transferred to<br/>Australian control
|established_date2 = <br/>1955
|area_magnitude =
|area_km2 = 14
|area_sq_mi = 5.3
|percent_water = 0
|population_estimate = 596<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ck.html Cocos (Keeling) Islands], ''The World Factbook'', CIA. Accessed 14 April 2009.</ref>
|population_estimate_rank = n/a
|population_estimate_year = July 2009
|population_density_km2 = 43
|population_density_sq_mi = 112
|population_density_rank = n/a
|currency = [[Australian dollar]]
|currency_code = AUD
|time_zone =
|utc_offset = +6½
|cctld = [[.cc]]
|calling_code = 61 891
|ITU zone =
|footnotes =
| demonym = Cocossian (Cocos Islandian)
}}

The '''Territory of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands''', also called '''Cocos Islands''' and '''Keeling Islands''', is a [[States and territories of Australia|territory]] of [[Australia]], located in the [[Indian Ocean]], southwest of [[Christmas Island]] and approximately midway between Australia and [[Sri Lanka]].

The territory consists of two [[atoll]]s and 27 [[coral island]]s, of which two, [[West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands|West Island]] and [[Home Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands|Home Island]], are inhabited with a total population of approximately 600.

==Geography==
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands consist of two flat, low-lying coral atolls with an area of {{convert|14.2|km2|sqmi}}, {{convert|26|km|mi}} of coastline, a highest elevation of {{convert|5|m|ft}} and thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation. The climate is pleasant, moderated by the southeast [[trade winds]] for about nine months of the year and with moderate rainfall. {{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} [[Cyclone]]s may occur in the early months of the year.

'''[[North Keeling]] Island''' is an atoll consisting of just one C-shaped island, a nearly closed atoll ring with a small opening into the [[lagoon]], about {{convert|50|m|ft}} wide, on the east side. The island measures {{convert|1.1|km2|acre}} in land area and is uninhabited. The lagoon is about {{convert|0.5|km2|acre}}. North Keeling Island and the surrounding sea to {{convert|1.5|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} from shore form the [[Pulu Keeling National Park]], established on 12 December 1995. It is home to the only surviving population of the endemic, and endangered, [[Cocos Buff-banded Rail]].

'''South Keeling Islands''' is an atoll consisting of 24 individual islets forming an incomplete atoll ring, with a total land area of {{convert|13.1|km2|sqmi}}. Only [[Home Island]] and [[West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands|West Island]] are populated. The Cocos Malays maintain weekend shacks, referred to as pondoks, on most of the larger islands.

Table of the islets, with areas, numbered islets clockwise starting in the north:<br/>
[[File:Cocos (Keeling) Islands-CIA WFB Map.png|thumb|right|200px|Cocos (Keeling) Islands.]]
[[File:Cocos Islands 1889.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Map of South Keeling Islands (1889)]]
[[File:Cocos(keeling) 76.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Map of South Keeling Islands]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Nr. || Islet<br>(Malay name)||English name|| Area<br/>(km²) </tr>
|-
|align="center"| 1 || Pulau Luar || [[Horsburgh Island]] ||align="right"| 1.04 </tr>
|align="center"| 2 || Pulau Tikus || Direction Island ||align="right"| 0.34 </tr>
|align="center"| 3 || Pulau Pasir || Workhouse Island ||align="right"| 0.00 </tr>
|align="center"| 4 || Pulau Beras || Prison Island ||align="right"| 0.02 </tr>
|align="center"| 5 || Pulau Gangsa || Woeplace Islets ||align="right"| <0.01 </tr>
|align="center"| 6 || Pulau Selma || Home Island ||align="right"| 0.95 </tr>
|align="center"| 7 || Pulau Ampang Kechil&nbsp; || Scaevola Islet ||align="right"| <0.01 </tr>
|align="center"| 8 || Pulau Ampang || Canui Island ||align="right"| 0.06 </tr>
|align="center"| 9 || Pulau Wa-idas || Ampang Minor ||align="right"| 0.02 </tr>
|align="center"| 10 || Pulau Blekok || Goldwater Island ||align="right"| 0.03 </tr>
|align="center"| 11 || Pulau Kembang || Thorn Island ||align="right"| 0.04 </tr>
|align="center"| 12 || Pulau Cheplok || Gooseberry Island&nbsp; ||align="right"| <0.01 </tr>
|align="center"| 13 || Pulau Pandan || Misery Island ||align="right"| 0.24 </tr>
|align="center"| 14 || Pulau Siput || Goat Island ||align="right"| 0.10 </tr>
|align="center"| 15 || Pulau Jambatan || Middle Mission Isle ||align="right"| <0.01 </tr>
|align="center"| 16 || Pulau Labu || South Goat Island ||align="right"| 0.04 </tr>
|align="center"| 17 || Pulau Atas || South Island ||align="right"| 3.63 </tr>
|align="center"| 18 || Pulau Kelapa Satu || North Goat Island ||align="right"| 0.02 </tr>
|align="center"| 19 || Pulau Blan || East Cay ||align="right"| 0.03 </tr>
|align="center"| 20 || Pulau Blan Madar || Burial Island ||align="right"| 0.03 </tr>
|align="center"| 21 || Pulau Maria || West Cay ||align="right"| 0.01 </tr>
|align="center"| 22 || Pulau Kambling || Keelingham Horn Island ||align="right"| <0.01 </tr>
|align="center"| 23 || Pulau Panjang || West Island ||align="right"| 6.23 </tr>
|align="center"| 24 || Pulau Wak Bangka || Turtle Island ||align="right"| 0.22 </tr>
|}

There are no rivers or lakes on either atoll. Fresh water resources are limited to water lenses on the larger islands, underground accumulations of rainwater lying above the seawater. These lenses are accessed through shallow bores or wells.

Cocos (Keeling) Island is located on almost exactly the opposite side of the globe from [[Cocos Island]], Costa Rica.

===Fauna===
{{Main|Fauna of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands}}

===Demographics===
In 2010, the population of the islands is estimated at just over 600.<ref name="cia">[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ck.html CIA World Factbook]</ref> The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island (estimated population 100) and the ethnic [[Cocos Malays|Malays]] on Home Island (estimated population 500). A [[Cocos Islands Malay|Cocos dialect]] of [[Malay language|Malay]] and English are the main languages spoken, and 80% of Cocos Islanders are [[Sunni Muslim]].

==History==
In 1609 Captain [[William Keeling]] was the first European to see the islands, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century, when they became a possession of the Clunies-Ross Family. A Scottish merchant seaman named Captain John Clunies-Ross from the [[Shetland Islands]] explored the islands in 1825, aiming to settle on them with his family.

Alexander Hare, who had taken part in [[Stamford Raffles]]' takeover of [[Java]] in 1811 {{Citation needed|date=June 2009}} landed and settled with his [[slavery|slaves]] who originated from [[Indonesia]], the [[Cape of Good Hope]] and East Asia. Clunies-Ross returned and set up a compound on South Island consisting of his family and some other settlers. Hare's severely mistreated slaves soon escaped to work under better conditions for Clunies-Ross.<ref>[http://www.clunies-ross.com The Clunies-Ross Chronicle]</ref> The workers were paid in a currency called the [[Cocos rupee]], a currency John Clunies-Ross minted himself that could only be redeemed at the company store.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6730047.stm End of a kingdom]</ref>
[[File:Chart of Cocos Keeling Islands.png|thumb|220px|right|An 1840 chart of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands]]
[[File:WW1 Landing at Direction Island.jpg|thumb|220px|right|A landing party from the German Navy cruiser [[Emden]] leaves Cocos (Keeling) Islands via this jetty on [[Direction Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands|Direction Island]].]]
On 1 April 1836, {{HMS|Beagle}} under Captain [[Robert FitzRoy]] arrived to take soundings establishing the profile of the atoll as part of the [[second voyage of HMS Beagle|survey expedition of the ''Beagle'']]. To the young naturalist [[Charles Darwin]], who was on the ship, the results supported a theory he had developed of how atolls formed, which he later published as ''[[The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs]]''. He studied the natural history of the islands and collected specimens.<ref>{{Citation
| last= Keynes
| first= Richard
| author-link = Richard Keynes
| year= 2001
| title=Charles Darwin's Beagle Diary
| publisher=Cambridge University Press
| pages =[http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?viewtype=text&itemID=F1925&pageseq=445 413–418]
| accessdate =2009-01-20 }}</ref> Darwin's assistant [[Syms Covington]] noted, "an Englishman [he was of course Scottish] and HIS family, with about sixty or seventy [[mulatto]]s from the Cape of Good Hope, live on one of the islands. Captain Ross, the governor, is now absent at the Cape."

===Annexed to the British Empire===
The islands were annexed by the British Empire in 1857. This annexation was carried out by [[Thomas Fremantle (Royal Navy officer)#Sons of Thomas Fremantle|Captain Stephen Grenville Fremantle]] in command of [[HMS Juno (1844)|HMS Juno]]. Fremantle claimed the islands for the British Empire and appointed [[King of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands|Ross II]] as Superintendent.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Cocos Islands|journal=The Chambers's Journal|year=1899|volume= 76|pages=187–190|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ddUXAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA187}}</ref> In 1867, their administration was placed under the [[Straits Settlements]], which included [[Penang]], [[Malacca]] and [[Singapore]]. [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]] granted the islands in perpetuity to the [[King of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands|Clunies-Ross family]] in 1886. The Cocos Islands under the Clunies-Ross family have been cited as an example of a 19th-century [[micronation]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}

===World War I===
On 9 November 1914, the islands became the site of the [[Battle of Cocos]], one of the first naval battles of World War I. The wireless [[Telegraphy|telegraph]] station on [[Direction Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands|Direction Island]], a vital link between the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, was destroyed by sailors from the [[Imperial Germany|German]] [[light cruiser]] {{SMS|Emden|1906|6}}, which was in turn surprised and destroyed by the Australian cruiser, {{HMAS|Sydney|1912|6}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/index.php/HMAS_Sydney_%28I%29 |title=HMAS Sydney (I) |accessdate=23 August 2008 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy}}</ref>

===World War II===
During World War II, the cable station was once again a vital link. Allied planners noted that the islands might be seized as a base for [[Nazi Germany|German]] raider cruisers operating in the Indian Ocean. Following [[Empire of Japan|Japan]]'s entry into the war, Japanese forces did occupy neighbouring islands. To avoid drawing their attention to the Cocos cable station and its islands' garrison, the [[seaplane]] anchorage between Direction and [[Horsburgh Island|Horsburgh]] islands was not used. Radio transmitters were also kept silent, except in emergencies. {{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}

After the [[Fall of Singapore]] in 1942, the islands were administered from [[Ceylon]] ([[Sri Lanka]]), and West and Direction Islands were placed under [[Allied]] military administration. The islands' garrison initially consisted of a platoon from the British Army's [[King's African Rifles]], located on Horsburgh Island, with two {{convert|6|in|mm|adj=on|sigfig=4|abbr=off|lk=off}} guns to cover the anchorage. The local inhabitants all lived on Home Island. Despite the importance of the islands as a communication centre, the Japanese made no attempt either to raid or to occupy them and contented themselves with sending over a reconnaissance aircraft about once a month. {{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}

On the night of 8–9 May 1942, 15 members of the garrison, from the [[Ceylon Defence Force]], [[Mutiny|mutinied]], under the leadership of [[Gratien Fernando]]. The mutineers were said to have been provoked by the attitude of their British officers, and were also supposedly inspired by [[Anti-imperialism|anti-imperialist]] beliefs. They attempted to take control of the [[Artillery|gun battery]] on the islands. The [[Cocos Islands Mutiny]] was crushed, although the mutineers killed one non-mutinous soldier and wounded one officer. Seven of the mutineers were sentenced to death at a trial which was later alleged to have been improperly conducted. Four of the sentences were commuted, but three men were executed, including Fernando. These were to be the only [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]] soldiers executed for mutiny during the Second World War.<ref name=CIM>{{Cite book
| last = Cruise
| first = Noel
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = The Cocos Islands Mutiny
| publisher = Fremantle Arts Centre Press
| year = 2002
| location = Fremantle
| pages = 248
| url =
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = 1 86368 310 0}}</ref>

On 25 December 1942, the Japanese submarine [[Japanese submarine I-166|''I-166'']] bombarded the islands but caused no damage.<ref>[http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-166.htm Combinedfleet.com]</ref>

Later in the war, two airstrips were built, and three bomber squadrons were moved to the islands to conduct raids against Japanese targets in South East Asia and to provide support during the [[Operation Tiderace|planned]] reinvasion of [[British Malaya|Malaya]] and reconquest of [[Singapore]]. The first aircraft to arrive were [[Supermarine Spitfire]] Mk VIIIs of [[No. 136 Squadron RAF]]. They included some [[B-24|Liberator]] bombers from [[No. 321 Squadron RAF|No. 321 (Netherlands) Squadron RAF]] (members of exiled Dutch forces serving with the [[Royal Air Force]]), which were also stationed on the islands. When in July 1945 [[No. 99 Squadron RAF|No. 99]] and [[No. 356 Squadron RAF|No. 356]] RAF squadrons arrived on West Island, they brought with them a daily newspaper called Atoll which contained news of what was happening in the outside world. Run by airmen in their off-duty hours, it achieved fame when dropped by Liberator bombers on POW camps over the heads of the Japanese guards. In 1946 the administration of the islands reverted to Singapore.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}}

===Transfer to Australia===
On 23 November 1955, the islands were transferred to Australian control under the ''Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955'' (an Australian Act) pursuant to the ''Cocos Islands Act, 1955'' (a UK Act).<ref>{{cite hansard | url=http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1977/jun/28/cocos-keeling-islands#S5CV0934P0-05978 | house=House of Commons | date=28 June 1977 }}</ref> Mr H J Hull was appointed the first Official Representative (now Administrator) of the new Territory. He had been a Lieutenant- Commander in the Royal Australian Navy and was released for the purpose. Under Commonwealth Cabinet Decision 1573 of 9 September 1958, Mr Hull's appointment was terminated and [[John William Stokes]] was appointed on secondment from the Northern Territory Police. A media release at the end of October 1958 by the Minister for Territories, Mr Hasluck, commended Mr Hull's three years of service on Cocos. Mr Stokes served in the position from 31 October 1958 to 30 September 1960. Mr C.I. Buffett [[MBE]] from [[Norfolk Island]] succeeded him and served from 28 July 1960 to 30 June 1966, and later acted as Administrator back on Cocos and on [[Norfolk Island|Norfolk Island.]] In 1974, Ken Mullen wrote a small book<ref>Cocos Keeling, the islands time forgot (1974). Ken Mullen. published by Angus & Robertson, Sydney. 122 pages.</ref> about his time with wife and son from 1964 to 1966 working at the Cable Station on Direction Island.

In the 1970s, the Australian government's dissatisfaction with the Clunies-Ross feudal style of rule of the island increased. In 1978, Australia forced the family to sell the islands for the sum of A$6,250,000, using the threat of compulsory acquisition. By agreement, the family retained ownership of Oceania House, their home on the island. However, in 1983 the Australian government reneged this agreement, and told [[John Clunies-Ross]] that he should leave the Cocos. The following year the [[High Court of Australia]] ruled that resumption of Oceania House was unlawful, but the Australian government ordered that no government business was to be granted to his shipping company, an action that contributed to his bankruptcy. John Clunies-Ross now lives in Perth, Western Australia. However, some members of the Clunies-Ross family still live on the Cocos.

The 2004 earthquake and tsunami centered off the western shore of Sumatra, Indonesia, prompted early worries about the Cocos, but no casualties were reported.<ref>Main article: [[Countries affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]]</ref>

==Government==
[[File:Cocos keelingISS002-E-9900.PNG|thumb|300px|right|[[NASA]] picture of the southern Cocos (Keeling) Islands.]]
The capital of the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands is [[West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands|West Island]] while the largest settlement is the village of Bantam{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}} ([[Home Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands|Home Island]]). Governance of the islands is based on the ''Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955''<ref>[http://www.weblaw.edu.au/weblaw/display_resource.phtml?rid=867 WebLaw – full resource metadata display<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legislation/ActCompilation1.nsf/0/D1D6D0EDD0A339E2CA25714100115B0A?OpenDocument ComLaw Act Compilations – Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955 (34)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and depends heavily on the laws of Australia. The islands are administered from [[Canberra]] by the [[Attorney-General's Department]]<ref name="AussieAG">{{Cite web| author = First Assistant Secretary, Territories Division | title = Territories of Australia | url = http://www.ag.gov.au/territories | publisher= Attorney-General's Department | date= 30 January 2008 | accessdate = 7 February 2008 | quote = The Federal Government, through the Attorney-General's Department administers Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, Jervis Bay, and Norfolk Island as Territories. }}</ref> (before 29 November 2007<ref name="DOTARS">{{Cite web| author = Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government | title = Territories of Australia | url = http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories/index.aspx | accessdate = 7 February 2008 | quote = As part of the Machinery of Government Changes following the Federal Election on 29 November 2007, administrative responsibility for Territories has been transferred to the Attorney General's Department. |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071216154140/http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories/index.aspx |archivedate = December 16, 2007}}</ref> administration was carried out by the [[Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (Australia)|Department of Transport and Regional Services]]), through a non-resident [[Administrator (Australia)|Administrator]] appointed by the [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]].

The current Administrator is [[Brian Lacy]], who was appointed on 18 September 2009 and is also the Administrator of [[Christmas Island]]. These two Territories comprise Australia's Indian Ocean Territories. There also exists a unicameral [[Shire of Cocos|Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council]] with seven seats. A full term lasts four years, though elections are held every two years; approximately half the members retire each two years. Federally, Cocos (Keeling) Islanders form the electorate of [[Division of Lingiari|Lingiari]] with Christmas Island and outback Northern Territory.

The islands have a five-person police force but their defence remains the responsibility of Australia.<ref name="cia"/>

==Economy==
There is a small and growing tourist industry focused on water-based or nature activities.

Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but most food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia or elsewhere.

The Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, [[stevedore]]s, and lighterage worker operations. Tourism employs others. The unemployment rate was 11.3% in 2006.<ref name="abs">[http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?locationLastSearchTerm=cocos&locationSearchTerm=cocos&newarea=910053009&submitbutton=View+QuickStats+%3E&mapdisplay=on&collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=910053009&geography=&method=Place+of+Usual+Residence&productlabel=&producttype=QuickStats&topic=&navmapdisplayed=true&javascript=true&breadcrumb=PL&topholder=0&leftholder=0&currentaction=104&action=401&textversion=false&subaction=1 2006 Census, Australian Bureau of Statistics]</ref>

==Communications and transport==
The islands are connected within Australia's telecommunication system (with number range +61 8 9162 xxxx) and postal system ([[Postal code|post code]]: 6799). Public phones are located on both West Island and Home Island. A GSM mobile phone network operates on Cocos (Keeling) Islands which is "on its last legs" according to the Government.<ref>[http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ncet/EconomicEnvironment/subs/Sub08.pdf APH.gov.au]</ref> Phones must be registered through the Telecentre to access this service. There is one paved airport on the West Island, [[Cocos (Keeling) Island International Airport]], to which [[Virgin Blue]] operates scheduled jet services from Perth, Western Australia. There is also a lagoon anchorage.

==Media==
Cocos (Keeling) Islands has access to a range of modern communication services. Four television stations broadcast from Western Australia via satellite. These are ABC, SBS, WIN and GWN. A local radio station, 6CKI – Voice of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, is staffed by community volunteers and provides some local content.As television and radio stations broadcast through a satellite service, rainfall may cause interference.

===Television===
Cocos Island received four channels from Western Australia via Satellite:
*ABC1
*SBS One
*WIN Television (Affiliated of Nine Network Perth)
*GWN (Affiliated of Seven Network Perth)

Cocos Island only receives four channels because Freeview is not available yet.

==Education==
There are two schools in the archipelago, located on the two inhabited islands. One is on West Island, and the other on Home Island.

School instruction is in English, and efforts are made to discourage students from speaking the local language ([[Cocos Islands Malay]], a [[Malay language|Malay]] dialect) on school premises.<ref>Paige Taylor, [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25939105-2702,00.html Crime in paradise lost in translation] "The Australian", 17 August 2009</ref>

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
File:Keelingsunset.JPG|Sunset over the islands
File:Keelingpalms.jpg|Palm trees on the islands
</gallery></center>

==See also==
* [[Index of Cocos (Keeling) Islands-related articles]] <!-- Please place links to all topics directly related to the United States Virgin Islands in the [[Index of Cocos (Keeling) Islands-related articles]] -->
* [[Banknotes of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands]]
* [[Cocos Malays]]
* [[King of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands]]
* [[Pearl Islands]] Isla de Cocos, Panama and Cocos Island, Costa Rica
* [[Transport in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Cocos (Keeling) Islands}}
* [http://www.shire.cc/ Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands homepage]
* [http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/arb/497-508/505.pdf Areas of individual islets]
* [http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/arb/399-414/403.pdf Atoll Research Bulletin vol. 403]
* [http://www.cocos-tourism.cc Cocos (Keeling) Islands Tourism website]
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ck.html Cocos (Keeling) Islands] entry from the [[CIA World Factbook]]
* [http://www.awm.gov.au/journal/j34/cocosmutiny.htm Noel Crusz, ''The Cocos Islands mutiny'', Reviewed by: Peter Stanley, Principal Historian, Australian War Memorial]
* [http://www.historyofnations.net/oceania/cocos.html History of Cocos (Keeling) Islands]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6730047.stm The man who lost a "coral kingdom"]

{{Coord|12|07|S|96|54|E|region:CC|display=title}}
{{Geography of Asia}}
{{Asia topic|Climate of}}

{{Template group
|title = Geographic locale
|list =
{{States and territories of Australia}}
{{Countries and territories of Oceania|titlestyle=background:#ddf;}}
{{Countries and territories of Southeast Asia}}
{{Countries and territories bordering the Indian Ocean}}
}}
{{Austronesian-speaking}}

<!-- Categories -->
[[Category:Cocos (Keeling) Islands| ]]
[[Category:Islands of the Indian Ocean]]
[[Category:British rule in Singapore]]
[[Category:States and territories of Australia]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1955]]

<!--Other languages-->
[[af:Kokoseilande]]
[[ar:جزر كوكس]]
[[az:Kokos adaları]]
[[zh-min-nan:Cocos (Keeling) Kûn-tó]]
[[be:Какосавыя астравы]]
[[be-x-old:Какосавыя выспы]]
[[bs:Kokosova ostrva]]
[[bg:Кокосови острови]]
[[ca:Illes Cocos]]
[[cs:Kokosové ostrovy]]
[[cy:Ynysoedd Cocos]]
[[da:Cocosøerne]]
[[de:Kokosinseln]]
[[et:Kookossaared]]
[[el:Νησιά Κόκος]]
[[es:Islas Cocos]]
[[eo:Kokosinsuloj]]
[[eu:Cocos (Keeling) uharteak]]
[[fa:جزایر کوکوس]]
[[hif:Cocos (Keeling) Islands]]
[[fr:Îles Cocos]]
[[gv:Ellanyn Cocos (Keeling)]]
[[gl:Illas Cocos]]
[[gu:કોકોસ (કીલીંગ) દ્વીપ]]
[[ko:코코스 제도]]
[[hi:कोकोस (कीलिंग) द्वीपसमूह]]
[[hr:Kokosovi otoci]]
[[bpy:কোকোস (কিলিং) দ্বীপমালা]]
[[id:Kepulauan Cocos (Keeling)]]
[[is:Kókoseyjar]]
[[it:Isole Cocos e Keeling]]
[[he:איי קוקוס]]
[[pam:Cocos (Keeling) Islands]]
[[ka:ქოქოსის კუნძულები]]
[[kw:Ynysow Cocos (Keeling)]]
[[rw:Ibirwa bya Koko]]
[[sw:Visiwa vya Cocos (Keeling)]]
[[lv:Kokosu (Kīlinga) Salas]]
[[lt:Kokosų (Kilingo) Salos]]
[[lij:Isoe Cocos]]
[[hu:Kókusz (Keeling)-szigetek]]
[[mk:Кокосови Острови]]
[[mr:कोकोस द्वीपसमूह]]
[[ms:Kepulauan Cocos (Keeling)]]
[[mn:Кокос (Кийлинг) Арлууд]]
[[nl:Cocoseilanden]]
[[ja:ココス諸島]]
[[no:Kokosøyene]]
[[nn:Kokosøyane]]
[[pl:Wyspy Kokosowe]]
[[pt:Ilhas Cocos (Keeling)]]
[[ro:Insulele Cocos]]
[[ru:Кокосовые острова]]
[[simple:Cocos (Keeling) Islands]]
[[sk:Kokosové ostrovy]]
[[cu:Кокосовꙑ острова]]
[[sr:Кокосова острва]]
[[sh:Kokosovi Otoci]]
[[fi:Kookossaaret]]
[[sv:Kokosöarna]]
[[ta:கொக்கோசு (கீலிங்) தீவுகள்]]
[[th:หมู่เกาะโคโคส]]
[[tr:Cocos Adaları]]
[[uk:Кокосові острови]]
[[ug:كەئەلىڭ كوكوس تاقىم ئاراللىرى]]
[[vi:Quần đảo Cocos (Keeling)]]
[[zh-classical:科科斯(基林)群島]]
[[war:Kapuropud-an Cocos (Keeling)]]
[[wo:Dunu Kokos]]
[[wuu:科科斯群岛]]
[[yo:Àwọn Erékùṣù Kókósì]]
[[zh:科科斯(基林)群島]]

Revision as of 18:56, 21 April 2011

all of this was false.. ha ha ha ha aha ha ha ha ha aha!!!!