<p><img src="images/flagchristmasisland.jpg" alt="" width="104" height="52" /></p>
<p>The Territory of Christmas Island is an external territory of Australia. It has a land mass of 135 square kilometers, with a population of 2,072 people. Flying Fish Cove is the capital and largest city of Christmas Island. English is the official language. Its official currency is the Australian dollar (AUS). Christmas Island has been an Australian territory since 1957. The latitude and longitude of Christmas Island is 10 degrees 30’S / 105 degrees 40’ E.</p>
<p>Due to minimum human disturbance, there is a high level of endemism from both plants and animal species. About 63% of the islands total land mass is an Australian national park. Phosphate deposits have been mined on the island for years.</p>
<p><strong><em>HISTORY</em></strong></p>
<p>The island was named when a Captain of a company vessel passed the island on Christmas Day in 1643. The uninhabited island was first discovered in the 17<sup>th</sup> century by an English navigator.</p>
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<p><strong><em>ETHNICITY</em></strong></p>
<p>The Chinese make up 70% of the population, 10% Europeans, and 20% Malay.</p>
<p><strong><em>RELIGION</em></strong></p>
<p>Religions practiced on Christmas Island are: Buddhism 75%, Christianity 12%, Islam 10%, and other 3%.</p>
<p><strong><em>ECONOMY</em></strong></p>
<p>The main economic industry for Christmas Island is Phosphate mining.</p>
<p>                                             <img src="images/DSC_1138-MiningHole-311207.jpg" alt="" width="397" height="264" /></p>
<p><strong><em>CULTURE</em></strong></p>
<p>Christmas Island has a unique culture with a blend from all the major ethnic residents. </p>
<p><strong><em>ATTRACTIONS</em></strong></p>
<p>Christmas Island has unique biological diversity with rare species of plants and animals. The island also has a variety of caves, of which located near the sea. The national park takes up 63% of the island, is one of the main attractions of the island.</p>
<p>Freshwater springs, rainforests, and the annual breeding of red crabs are popular sights of Christmas Island.</p>
<p>Uninhabited until the late 19<sup>th</sup> century, Christmas Island has versatile species of plants and animals.</p>
<p>    <img src="images/christmasislandscrab.jpg" alt="" width="392" height="187" />   <img src="images/532380-christmas-island-escape.jpg" alt="" width="341" height="216" /></p>
<p><strong><em>CLIMATE</em></strong></p>
<p>From July to November, it is dry season; and wet season from November to May. Monsoons are experienced during the wet season.</p>
<p><strong><em>TRANSPORT</em></strong></p>
<p>Christmas Island has four weekly flights from Australia to the Christmas Island Airport. Taxi services are available on the island.</p>
<p>                                               <img src="images/project-christmas-island-airport.jpg" alt="" width="422" height="210" /></p>
<p><strong><em>EDUCATION</em></strong></p>
<p>There is no university on Christmas Island. Christmas Island District High School caters students until grade 12. There is one public library on Christmas Island.</p>
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