Location:
Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates:
12 30 S, 96 50 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 14 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 14 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
241
Area - comparative:
about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
26 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
exclusive fishing zone: 200
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive fishing zone country ranks ]
Climate:
tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year
Terrain:
flat, low-lying coral atolls
Elevation:
lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point:
South Point on South Island 9 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
agricultural land: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 100%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]
Irrigated land:
NA
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]
Population distribution:
only Home Island and West Island are populated
Natural hazards:
cyclone season is October to April
Environment - current issues:
freshwater resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs; illegal fishing a concern
Geography - note:
islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation; site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island
