Location Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka

Geographic coordinates 12 30 S, 96 50 E

Map references Southeast Asia

Area
total: 14 sq km
land: 14 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island

Area - comparative about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries 0 km

Coastline 2.6 km

Maritime claims
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall

Terrain flat, low-lying coral atolls

Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Natural resources fish

Land use
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 100% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land NA sq km

Natural hazards cyclones may occur in the early months of the year

Environment - current issues fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs

Environment - international agreements
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA

Geography - note two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation

NOTE: The information regarding Cocos (Keeling) Islands on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Cocos (Keeling) Islands Geography 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Cocos (Keeling) Islands Geography 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.