Cocos Islands

The Cocos Islands

This is the Cocos islanders flag even though they are Australian. 2768 Km North-West from Perth and 1880 miles (3026 km) from Bunbury are the isolated Cocos or Keeling Islands. Altogether there are 27 Islands and none of them rises above 6 meters higher than the sea level. In addition, that will be a problem with global warming when the ice caps melt and start rising the sea level. Altogether, the islands cover 24 square kilometers. Most of the islands are covered with coconut trees. The good facts are that there is lots of plant life because there

is high rainfall the average is 2032 millimeters. It is hot and pleasant for the Europeans and the people from Java. Most of the Cocos islanders work for the ''Cullies-Ross Estate" they sell copra which is the dried insides of a coconut. They also supply food for tourists and in return, they get free accommodation and education. They repair boats and build houses. The islands have an air communication with Perth a radio Teletype. It has a non-commercial broadcasting station for the entertainment of residents. An airstrip was built in 1945 and was rebuilt to take jet aircraft in 1952. No regular ships travel to the island but an occasionally ship to bring supplies and export copra to Singapore. The islands were discovered in 1609 and people set foot on it in 1826-27. Scientists have proof that it just rose from the sea in the last 4000 years. They support over 121-plant life. There are at least 57 introduced species, and at least 14 seabird species. The Cocos Islands support at least nine species of crab including the coconut crab. The Cocos Islands are about km from Indonesia. The Cocos Islands are also known for supporting shark life.

The soils are unconsolidated and biogenic sand. Coral rubble composed boulders that can be up to 50 cm, lines the shorelines. In places beach rock overlie flat plat forms, as on the western shore of Houser

island and there is a airstrip on west islandThe populations on the two inhabited islands are split between the Europeans on West Island and the Malays on the home islands. The tourists can go anywhere. There geographic coordinates are 12 30 S, 96 50 E. If the all-27 islands where one island it would cover 14 square kilometers. Its territorial zone is 22 kilometers and the fishing boundaries are 370.4 kilometers. The total coastline measures 26 Km. the climate is tropical with high humidity. The islands lie among flat low-lying coral reefs. Their natural resources are fish. On of the main hazards are that there is a cyclone season from October to August. Another problem is the low fresh water resources they rely on mainly rainwater because there are 2032 mm of rain. The islands are covered thickly with coconut palms and other vegetation. The population is 574 people. Their ethnic group is Europeans and Cocos Malays and 80% of religions are Sunni Muslim. The languages are Malay and English. It has no own government so it follows Australia’s rules, government, and the queen. Its capital is West Island. They still follow Australia day as we do. They are not Australian but the islands are still claimed Australian territory. Use this flag and the Australian flag .the plants that grow there are vegetables bananas paw paws and copra. There are 287 Phones is the region. Not including mobile phones and telephone poles. There Internet code is .cc

E.g. www.shire.com.cc/our%20island%20home.htm Their runway is 2,437 m² in total. They have a five-person police force. There are some of the islands in the group they are: Button Island Direction Island Hartsburg Island Home Island /Water Island/New Selima/Pulu Selma North Keeling Island Prison Island Pulu Maria Pulu Ampang Pulu Ampang Kechil Pulu bland or Pulu bland madder Pulu Chepelok/Pulu Wak Banka Pulu jamb tan Pulu kappa sate Pulu Kembang Pulu lab Pulu Pandan Pulu spit Pulu Wadidas South island West Island Workhouse islet

Captain William Keeling discoed the islands in 1609 but they remained inhabited until the 19th centuries

Pictures

View to South Island from the Yacht Club

Walk, drive or peddle-power along many of the tracks around West Island

Oceania House on Home Island once the residence of the Colonies-Ross, now privately owned.

Fishing at the islands for the air flight passenger’s food in return they get free education and free health services.

Time line