r 1943, over 60% of the Island's population was evacuated to Surabayan prison camps, leaving a total population of just under 500 Chinese and Malays and 15 Japanese to survive as best they could. In October 1945 HMS Rother reoccupied Christmas Island.[12][13][14][15] After the war seven mutineers were traced and prosecuted by the Military Court in Singapore. In 1947 five of them were sentenced to death; however, following representations made by the newly independent governments of India and Pakistan, their sentences were reduced to penal servitude for life.[9] Transfer to Australia At Australia's request, the United Kingdom transferred sovereignty to Australia; in 1957, the Australian government paid the government of Singapore £2.9 million in compensation, a figure based mainly on an estimated value of the phosphate forgone by Singapore. Under Commonwealth Cabinet Decision 1573 of 9 September 1958, D. E. Nickels was appointed the first Official Representative of the new Territory. In a Media Statement on 5 August 1960, the Minister for Territories, Paul Hasluck, said, among other things, that "His extensive knowledge of the Malay language and the customs of the Asian people... has proved invaluable in the inauguration of Australian administration... During his two years on the Island he had faced unavoidable difficulties... and constantly sought to advance the Island's interests." John William Stokes succeeded him and served from 1 October 1960 to 12 June 1966. On his departure he was lauded by all sectors of the Island community. In 1968, the Official Secretary was re-titled an Administrator and, since 1997, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands together are called the Australian Indian Ocean Territories and share a single Administrator resident on Christmas Island. A list and timetable of the Island's leaders since its settlement is at the World Statesmen site[16] and in Neale (1988) and Bosman (1993). The 2004 earthquake and tsunami centered off the western shore of Sumatra, Indonesia, resulted in no reported casualties, but some swimmers were swept some 150 metres (490 ft) out to sea for a time before being swept back in.[17] Refugee and immigration detention From the late 1980s and early 1990s, boats carrying asylum seekers and mainly departing from Indonesia landed on the island. In 2001, Christmas Island was the site of the Tampa controversy, in which the Australian government stopped a Norwegian ship, MV Tampa, from disembarking 438 rescued asylum seekers at Christmas Island. The ensuing standoff and the associated political reactions in Australia were a major issue in the 2001 Australian federal election.[18] Another boatload of asylum seekers was taken from Christmas Island to Papua New Guinea for processing, after it was claimed that many of the adult asylum seekers threw their children into the water, apparently in protest at being turned away. This was later found to be false by a Senate select committee. Many of the refugees were subsequently accepted by New Zealand.[citation needed] The former Howard Government later secured the passage of legislation through the Australian Parliament which excised Christmas Island from Australia's migration zone, meaning that asylum seekers arriving on Christmas Island could not automatically apply to the Australian government for refugee status. This allowed the Royal Australian Navy to relocate them to other countries (Papua New Guinea's Manus Island, and Nauru) as part of the so-called Pacific Solution. In 2006 an Immigration Detention Centre, containing approximately 800 beds, was constructed on the island for the Department of Immigration. Originally estimated to cost $210 million, the final cost was over $400 million.[19] In 2007, the Rudd Government announced plans to decommission the Manus Island and Nauru centres; processing would then occur on Christmas Island itself.[20] In 2010, around 50 asylum seekers died off the coast of the island as the boat they were travelling on crashed into the rocks off Flying Fish Cove.[21][22] Demographics As of 2006, the estimated population is 1,493. (The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports a population of 1,508 as of the 2001 Census.) The ethnic composition is 70% Chinese 20% European and 10% Malay. According to the CIA World Factbook, religions practised on Christmas Island include Buddhism 36%,[citation needed] Christianity 18%, Islam 25% and others 21%. English is the official language, but Chinese languages and Malay are also spoken. Postage stamps Main article: Postage stamps and postal history of Christmas Island A postal agency was opened on the island in 1901 and sold stamps of the Strait Settlements.[23] After the Japanese Occupation (1942–45), postage stamps of the British Military Administration in Malaya were in use, then stamps of Singapore.[24] In 1958, the island received its own postage stamps after being put under Australian custody. It had a large philatelic and postal independence, managed first by the Phosphate Commission (1958–1969) and then by the Island's Administration (1969–93).[23] This ended on 2 March 1993 when Australia Post became the island's postal operator: stamps of Christmas Island can be used in Australia and Australian stamps in the island.[24] Government Christmas Island is a non-self governing territory of Australia, currently administered by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government. Administration was carried out by the Attorney-General's Department[25] up until 14 September 2010,[26] and prior to this by the Department of Transport and Regional Services before 29 November 2007.[27] The legal system is under the authority of the Governor-General of Australia and Australian law. An Administrator appointed by the Governor-General represents the monarch and Australia. The Australian Government provides Commonwealth-level government services through the Christmas Island Administration and the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government. As an administered Territory, there is no state government; instead, state government type services are provided by contractors, including departments of the Western Australian Government, with the costs met by the Australian (Commonwealth) Government. A unicameral Shire of Christmas Island with nine seats provides local government services and is elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. Elections are held every two years, with half the members standing for election. Christmas Island residents who are Australian citizens also vote in Commonwealth (federal) elections. Christmas Island residents are represented in the House of Representatives through the Northern Territory Division of Lingiari and in the Senate by Northern Territory Senators. In early 1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag; the winning design was adopted as the informal flag of the territory for over a decade, and in 2002 it was made the official flag of Christmas Island. Economy 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 by a consortium which included many of the former mine workers as shareholders. With the support of the government, the $34 million Christmas Island Casino and Resort opened in 1993, but was closed in 1998. As of 2011, the resort has re-opened without the casino. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial spaceport on the island, however this has not yet been constructed, and appears that it will not proceed in the future. The Howard Government built a temporary immigration detention centre on the island in 2001 and planned to replace it with a larger, modern facility located at North West Point until Howard's defeat in the 2007 elections. Geography Christmas Island Located at 10°30'S 105°40'E? / ?10.5°S 105.667°E? / -10.5; 105.667, the island is a quadrilateral with hollowed sides, about 19 kilometres (12 mi) in greatest length and 14.5 km (9.0 mi) in extreme breadth. The total land area is 135 square kilometres (52 sq mi), with 138.9 km (86.3 mi) of coastline. The island is the flat summit of a submarine mountain more than 4,500 metres (14,800 ft),[28] the depth of the platform from which it rises being about 4,200 m (13,780 ft) and its height above the sea being upwards of 300 m (984 ft).[29] The mountain was originally a volcano, and some basalt is exposed in places such as The Dales and Dolly Beach, but most of the surface rock is limestone accumulated from the growth of coral over millions of years.[30] “The summit of this mountain peak is formed of a succession of tertiary limestones ranging in age from the Eocene (or Oligocene) up to recent reef-deposits, with intercalations in the older beds of volcanic rocks.”[31] Steep cliffs along much of the coast rise abruptly to a central plateau. Elevation ranges from sea level to 361 m (1,184 ft) at Murray Hill. The island is mainly tropical rainforest, of which 63% is National Park. The narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard. Christmas Island is 500 km (310 mi) south of Indonesia and about 2,600 km (1,600 mi) northwest of Perth. Climate The climate is tropical, with heat and humidity moderated by trade winds. Climate data for Christmas Island Airport Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 30.6 (87.1) 31.5 (88.7) 31.5 (88.7) 31.4 (88.5) 30.0 (86.0) 29.4 (84.9) 28.8 (83.8) 29.5 (85.1) 30.9 (87.6) 31.4 (88.5) 31.8 (89.2) 31.2 (88.2) 31.8 (89.2) Average high °C (°F) 27.9 (82.2) 27.9 (82.2) 28.2 (82.8) 28.2 (82.8) 27.8 (82.0) 27.0 (80.6) 26.2 (79.2) 26.0 (78.8) 26.2 (79.2) 26.8 (80.2) 27.2 (81.0) 27.7 (81.9) 27.3 (81.1) Average low °C (°F) 22.6 (72.7) 22.6 (72.7) 23.0 (73.4) 23.5 (74.3) 23.8 (74.8) 23.2 (73.8) 22.5 (72.5) 22.2 (72.0) 22.2 (72.0) 22.6 (72.7) 22.8 (73.0) 22.5 (72.5) 22.8 (73.0) Record low °C (°F) 18.8 (65.8) 18.4 (65.1) 18.6 (65.5) 18.3 (64.9) 19.3 (66.7) 14.1 (57.4) 16.2 (61.2) 17.7 (63.9) 16.7 (62.1) 18.2 (64.8) 18.0 (64.4) 18.0 (64.4) 14.1 (57.4) Rainfall mm (inches) 293.6 (11.559) 348.4 (13.717) 290.9 (11.453) 221.8 (8.732) 176.7 (6.957) 155.8 (6.134) 96.9 (3.815) 43.1 (1.697) 47.0 (1.85) 68.7 (2.705) 147.7 (5.815) 210.7 (8.295) 2,110.5 (83.091) Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology [32] Flora and fauna See also: Birds of Christmas Island Coconut crab Christmas Island red crab Red-footed Boobies Common Noddy Brown Booby Christmas Island is of immense value as it was uninhabited until the late 19th century, so many unique species of fauna and flora exist which have evolved independently of human interference. Two-thirds of the island has been declared a National Park which is managed by the Australian Department of Environment and Heritage through Parks Australia. Flora The dense rainforest has evolved in the deep soils of the plateau and on the terraces. The forests are dominated by 25 tree species. Ferns, orchids and vines grow on the branches in the humid atmosphere beneath the canopy. The 135 plant species include at least eighteen which are found nowhere else. Christmas Island’s endemic plants include the trees Arenga listeri, Pandanus elatus and Dendrocnide peltata var. murrayana; the shrubs Abutilon listeri, Colubrina pedunculata, Grewia insularis and Pandanus christmatensis; the vines Hoya aldrichii and Zehneria alba; the herbs Asystasia alba, Dicliptera maclearii and Peperomia rossii; the grass Ischaemum nativitatis; the fern Asplenium listeri; and the orchids Brachypeza archytas, Flickingeria nativitatis, Phreatia listeri and Zeuxine exilis.[33] Fauna Two species of native rats, the Maclear's and Bulldog Rat, have become extinct since the island was settled. The endemic shrew has not been seen since the mid 1980s and may be already extinct, and the Christmas Island Pipistrelle, a small bat, is critically endangered and possibly also extinct.[34] The annual red crab mass migration (around 100 million animals) to the sea to spawn has been called one of the wonders of the natural world[35] and takes place each year around November; after the start of the wet season and in synchronisation with the cycle of the moon. The land crabs and sea birds are the most noticeable animals on the island. Twenty terrestrial and intertidal species of crab (of which thirteen are regarded as true land crabs, only dependent on the ocean for larval development) have been described. Robber crabs, known elsewhere as coconut crabs, also exist in large numbers on the island. Christmas Island is a focal point for sea birds of various species. Eight species or subspecies of sea birds nest on the island. The most numerous is the Red-footed Booby that nests in colonies, in trees, on many parts of the shore terrace. The widespread Brown Booby nests on the ground near the edge of the seacliff and inland cliffs. Abbott's Booby (listed as endangered) nests on tall emergent trees of the western, northern and southern plateau rainforest. The Christmas Island forest is the only nesting habitat of the Abbott's Booby left in the world. The endemic Christmas Island Frigatebird (listed as endangered) has nesting areas on the north-eastern shore terraces and the more widespread Great Frigatebirds nest in semi-deciduous trees on the shore terrace with the greatest concentrations being in the North West and South Point areas. The Common Noddy and two species of bosuns or tropicbirds, with their brilliant gold or silver plumage and distinctive streamer tail feathers, also nest on the island. Of the ten native land birds and shorebirds, seven are endemic species or subspecies. This includes the Christmas Island Thrush, and the Christmas Island Imperial-pigeon. Some 86 migrant bird species have been recorded as visitors to the Island. Christmas Island has been identified by BirdLife International as both an Endemic Bird Area and Important Bird Area because it supports five endemic species and five subspecies as well as over 1% of the world populations of five other seabirds.[36] Communications Telecommunications Telephone services are provided by Telstra and are a part of the Australian network with the same prefix as Western Australia (08). A GSM mobile telephone system replaced the old analogue network in February 2005. Phone reception is at its best on the roofs of the buildings. Four free-to-air television stations from Australia are broadcast (ABC, SBS, GWN and WIN) in the same time-zone as Perth. Radio broadcasts from Australia include ABC Radio National, ABC Kimberley, Triple J and Red FM. All services are provided by satellite links from the mainland. Broadband internet became available to subscribers in urban areas in mid 2005 through the local internet service provider, CIIA (formerly dotCX). Christmas Island, due to its close proximity to Australia's northern neighbours, falls within many of the more 'interesting' satellite footprints throughout the region. This results in ideal conditions for receiving various Asian broadcasts which locals sometimes prefer to the West Australian provided content. Additionally, ionospheric conditions usually bode well for many of the more terrestrial radio transmissions – HF right up through VHF and sometimes in to UHF. The island plays home to a small array of radio equipment that, evidently, spans a good chunk of the usable spectrum. A variety of government owned and operated antenna systems are employed on the island to take advantage of this. Transport Container port A container port exists at Flying Fish Cove with an alternative container unloading point to the south of the island at Norris Point for use during the December to March 'swell season" of seasonal rough seas. Railways An 18 km standard gauge railway from Flying Fish Cove to the phosphate mine was constructed in 1914. It was closed in December 1987, when the Australian Government closed the mine, but remains largely intact. Because of its very small population size, Christmas Island has the longest railway per capita in the world, more than 100 times of the average length.[37] Air travel There are four weekly flights with Virgin Australia Airlines into Christmas Island Airport from Perth, Western Australia and a weekly charter flight from Malaysia by Travel Exchange. Road transport There is a new recreation centre at Phosphate Hill operated by the Shire of Christmas Island. There is also a taxi service. The road network covers most of the island and is generally good quality, although four wheel drive vehicles are needed to access some more distant parts of the rain forest or the more isolated beaches, which are only accessible by rough dirt roads. Education The island-operated crèche is located in the Recreation Centre.[38] Christmas Island District High School, catering for students in grades P-12 is run by the Western Australian Education Department. Students wishing to complete university education must do so on mainland Australia. The island has one public library.[39] See also Geography portal Asia portal Southeast Asia portal Australia portal Outline of Christmas Island Index of Christmas Island-related articles Notes ^ Christmas Island entry at The World Factbook, The World Factbook, CIA. Accessed 14 April 2009. ^ "Save Christmas Island – Introduction". The Wilderness Society. 19 September 2002. Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070609110000/http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/marine/christmas_island/save_ci/. Retrieved 14 April 2007.  ^ "Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts – Christmas Island History". Australian Government. 8 July 2008. http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/christmas/culture-history/island-history.html. Retrieved 26 April 2009.  ^ "Digital Collections – Maps – Goos, Pieter, ca. 1616–1675. Paskaerte Zynde t'Oosterdeel Van Oost Indien (cartographic material) : met alle de Eylanden deer ontrendt geleegen van C. Comorin tot aen Iapan". National Library of Australia. http://www.nla.gov.au/apps/cdview?pi=nla.map-nk1574-sd&rgn=0.5309855310%2C0.5141004862%2C0.6401856402%2C0.6437601297&cmd=zoomin&width=400&x=200&y=199. Retrieved 26 April 2009.  ^ Carney, Gerard (2006). The constitutional systems of the Australian states and territories. Cambridge University Press. p. 477. ISBN 0521863058. "The uninhabited island was named on Christmas Day 1643 by Captain William Mynors as he sailed past, leaving to William Dampier the honour of first landing ashore in 1688."  ^ Dampier, Captain William (1703). A New Voyage Round The World. The Crown in St Paul’s Church-yard, London, England: James Knapton. pp. Contemporary full panelled calf with raised bands to spine and crimson morocco title labels; crimson sprinkled edges; 8vo. ISBN N/A.  ^ a b "History". Welcome to Christmas Island. Christmas Island Tourism Association. http://www.christmas.net.au/history.html. Retrieved 26 April 2009.  ^ Walsh, William (1913). A Handy Book of Curious Information. London: Lippincott. p. 447.  ^ a b c d e f g h L, Klemen (1999-2000). "The Mystery of Christmas Island, March 1942". Forgotten Campaign: The Dutch East Indies Campaign 1941-1942. http://www.dutcheastindies.webs.com/christmas.html.  ^ L, Klemen (1999-2000). "Allied Merchant Ship Losses in the Pacific and Southeast Asia". Forgotten Campaign: The Dutch East Indies Campaign 1941-1942. http://www.dutcheastindies.webs.com/allied_losses.html.  ^ Cressman, Robert J.. "The Offici