Cocos (Keeling) Islands

July 31, 2023

Recently, an Indian Navy Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130 transport aircraft visited Australia’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI).

About Cocos (Keeling) Islands:

  • The Cocos (Keeling) Islands lie in the eastern Indian Ocean, about 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) northwest of the Australian city of Perth.
  • It comprises of coral atolls and islands, the archipelago includes North Keeling Island and the South Keeling Islands.
  • The territory’s administrative headquarters are on West Island in the southern atoll. 
  • Climate: Warm and humid climate.
  • Vegetation: The vegetation consists chiefly of coconut palms, which were formerly cultivated for copra on plantations.
  • The northern atoll consists of Australia's most remote Commonwealth National Park, the Pulu Keeling National Park.
  • On North Keeling and Horsburgh islands, coarse grass serves as a ground cover. 
  • The inhabitants of this Island are predominantly the descendants of the original plantation workers, mostly of Malay origin.
  • Administration:  An administrator appointed by the Australian governor-general is the senior governmental official in the Cocos. The islands became an Australian territory under the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955.