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Cocos (Keeling) Islands
non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia
British sea captain William KEELING discovered the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1609, and they were named for their coconut trees in 1622. Some maps began referring to them as the Keeling Islands in 1703. In 1825, Scottish trader John CLUNIES-ROSS was trying to get to Christmas Island but was blown off course and landed on Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Profile
CapitalWest Island
Population593
Area14 km²
LanguageMalay (Cocos dialect) 68.8%, English 22.3%, unspecified 8.9%; note - data represent language spoken at home (2016 est.)
CurrencyAustralian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
At a Glance
Population
593
