Cocos Islands

The Territory of the Cocos Islands, also called Cocos Islands and Keeling Islands, is a territory of Australia, located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Christmas Island and approximately midway between Australia and Sri Lanka. The territory consists of two atolls and 27 coral islands, of which two, West Island and Home Island, are inhabited with a total population of approximately 600. The Cocos Islands consist of two flat, low-lying coral atolls with an area of 14.2 square kilometres , 26 kilometres of coastline, a highest elevation of 5 metres and thickly covered with coconut palms... and other vegetation. The climate is pleasant, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year and with moderate rainfall. Cyclones may occur in the early months of the year. North Keeling Island is an atoll consisting of just one C-shaped island, a nearly closed atoll ring with a small opening into the lagoon, about 50 metres wide, on the east side. The island measures 1.1 square kilometres in land area and is uninhabited. The lagoon is about 0.5 square kilometres .
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