Is there a Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean?
Kiritimati Atoll, also called Christmas Atoll, coral island in the Northern Line Islands, part of Kiribati, in the west-central Pacific Ocean. It is the largest island of purely coral formation in the world, having a circumference of about 100 miles (160 km).
Where is Christmas Island located in the Pacific?
Kiritimati (also known as Christmas Island) is a Pacific Ocean atoll in the northern Line Islands. It is part of the Republic of Kiribati….Kiritimati.
| Kiritimati Show map of Kiribati Show map of Pacific Ocean Show all | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | North Pacific Ocean |
What happened to Christmas Island?
In 1958, the island was excised from Singapore and sovereignty was transferred to Australia. As part of the transfer, Australia paid Singapore £2,800,000 as compensation for lost phosphate revenue. Christmas Island became an Australian territory on 1 October 1958 – a day still celebrated on the island as Territory Day.
Is there a real place called Christmas Island?
Christmas Island, officially Territory of Christmas Island, island in the Indian Ocean, about 224 miles (360 km) south of the island of Java and 870 miles (1,400 km) northwest of Australia, that is administered as an external territory of Australia.
Can I live on Christmas Island?
Christmas Island had a population of 1,843 residents as of 2016, the majority living in settlements on the northern tip of the island. The main settlement is Flying Fish Cove. Islam and Buddhism are major religions on the island.
Is Christmas Island in Hawaii?
About Kiritimati Kiritimati is one of the Line Islands, a chain of atolls and coral islands on both sides of the equator in the central Pacific Ocean, 2,000 km (1,250 mi) south of Hawaii. In 1777 on Christmas Eve Captain Cook ‘discovered’ the island, named the atoll Christmas Island and claimed it for Britain.
Why did they call it Christmas Island?
British and Dutch navigators first included the island on their charts from the early seventeenth century, and Captain William Mynors of the East India Ship Company vessel, the Royal Mary, named the island when he arrived on Christmas Day, 25th December, 1643. This was the first recorded landing on Christmas Island.
What language does Christmas Island speak?
English
Language. English is the official language on Christmas Island. However, more than half of our residents speak a language other than English at home. While on the island, you might hear people conversing in Mandarin, Malay, Cantonese, Min Nan, Tagalog and a variety of other languages.
Can you drink the water on Christmas Island?
Christmas Island is a tropical environment. It is recommended to drink plenty of water, wear a hat and use sunscreen. Tap water is safe to drink.
Can you swim on Christmas Island?
The sea cliffs and inland cliffs on Christmas Island can be steep and very treacherous. Swimming at beaches is only recommended at Flying Fish Cove under calm sea conditions.