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

Economy Christmas Island

Economy - overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant
economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government
closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the
government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in
1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation
of a commercial space-launching site on the island, slated to begin
operation in 2003.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA

GDP - real growth rate: NA%

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: NA

Labor force - by occupation: tourism 400 people, mining 100 people (1995)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures
of $NA

Industries: tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)

Industrial production gro