Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form: Christmas Island

Dependency status territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services

Government type NA

Capital The Settlement

Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia)

Independence none (territory of Australia)

National holiday NA

Constitution NA

Legal system under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law

Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general
head of government: Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999)
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia

Legislative branch unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9
elections: last held NA December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2002)

Judicial branch Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court

Political parties and leaders none

Political pressure groups and leaders none

International organization participation none

Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of Australia)

Flag description the flag of Australia is used; note - in early 1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally adopted as the official flag of the territory

NOTE: The information regarding Christmas Island on this page is re-published from the 2002 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Christmas Island Government 2002 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Christmas Island Government 2002 should be addressed to the CIA.