conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
etymology: the name refers to the abundant coconut trees on the islands and to English Captain William KEELING, the first European to sight the islands in 1609
non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia
non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development
name: West Island
geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 96 50 E
time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
none (territory of Australia)
none (territory of Australia)
Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788)
history: 23 November 1955 (Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955)
amendments: amended many times, last in 2020
common law based on the Australian model
see Australia
18 years of age
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia General David HURLEY (since 1 July 2019)
head of government: Administrator Farzian ZAINAL (since 11 May 2023)
cabinet: NA
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Australian prime minister; administrator appointed by the governor-general for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
description: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats; members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms with 4 members renewed every 2 years)
elections: last held on 21 October 2023 (next to be held in October 2025)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 6, women 1, percent of women 16.7%
highest court(s): under the terms of the Territorial Law Reform Act 1992, Western Australia provides court services as needed for the island including the Supreme Court and subordinate courts (District Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Children's Court, and Coroners' Court)
none
none
none (territory of Australia)
embassy: none (territory of Australia)
the flag of Australia is used
note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the King" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)
NOTE: The information regarding Cocos on this page is re-published from the 2024 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Cocos 2024 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Cocos 2024 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.
This page was last modified 04 May 24, Copyright © 2024 ITA all rights reserved.
