|
Capital:
|
The Settlement
|
|
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
|
|
Administrative divisions:
|
none (territory of Australia)
|
|
Independence:
|
none (territory of Australia)
|
|
National holiday:
|
Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
|
|
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 Evan WILLIAMS (since 1 November 2003)
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 four-year terms)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2005)
|
|
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
|
