Headlines
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Population, Official Language And More.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are administered by the Australian federal government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications as an Australian external territory and together with Christmas Island (which is about 960 kilometres (600 mi) to the east) forms the Australian Indian Ocean Territories administrative grouping. However, the islanders do have a degree of self-government through the local shire council. Many public services – including health, education, and policing – are provided by the state of Western Australia, and Western Australian law applies except where the federal government has determined otherw.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
The Population
The population of Cocos (Keeling) Islands is around 600 people, consisting mainly of Cocos Malays who mostly practice Sunni Islam and speak a dialect of Malay as their first language. The islands have a small community of expatriates, mainly from Australia and the United Kingdom.
The Landmark
The most notable landmark on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is the Direction Island Home Island Jetty, which is a popular spot for tourists to take photos and enjoy the scenic views.
The Official Language
The official language of Cocos (Keeling) Islands is English, but the local population speaks a dialect of Malay as their first language.
The Culture
The culture of Cocos (Keeling) Islands is heavily influenced by Malay culture, which is reflected in the local cuisine, music, and traditional dress. The islanders celebrate many traditional Malay festivals throughout the year, including Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which marks the end of Ramadan.
The Economic Stability
The economy of Cocos (Keeling) Islands is largely based on tourism and coconut plantations. The islands are known for their pristine beaches and coral reefs, which attract visitors from around the world. In addition to tourism, coconut plantations are a major source of income for the islanders. Copra, which is dried coconut meat used to make coconut oil, is one of the main exports from the islands.
The GDP
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands have a small economy that is largely based on tourism and coconut plantations. According to the World Factbook, the GDP of Cocos (Keeling) Islands was estimated to be $11.8 million in 2020.
The Currency
The official currency of Cocos (Keeling) Islands is the Australian dollar (AUD), which is also used in mainland Australia.
The Food
The cuisine of Cocos (Keeling) Islands is heavily influenced by Malay cuisine, with dishes such as nasi lemak (coconut rice with anchovies and peanuts), rendang (spicy meat curry), and satay (grilled meat skewers) being popular among locals and tourists alike.
Major Cities
The two main inhabited islands of Cocos (Keeling) Islands are West Island and Home Island. West Island is the larger of the two and serves as the administrative center of the territory, while Home Island is home to most of the local population.
Major Airport, Sea Port and Schools
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport is located on West Island and serves as the main point of entry for visitors to the territory. There are no sea ports on the islands, but there is a small boat harbor on Home Island. The only school on the islands is Cocos Islands District High School, which provides education for students from kindergarten through year 12.
