Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean

Christmas Island, tropical island (2001 pop. 1,508), 60 sq mi (155 sq km), an external territory of Australia, in the Indian Ocean c.200 mi (320 km) S of Java. The majority of the inhabitants descendants of Chinese and Malays who came to work the extensive phosphate deposits. Much of the island is now a national park. The island was annexed by Great Britain in 1888 and became part of the former Straits Settlements Straits Settlements, collective name for certain former British colonies in Southeast Asia. The three British East India Company territories of Pinang , Singapore , and Malacca (see Melaka ) were given a unified administration in 1826 and called the Straits
..... Click the link for more information. in 1889. In 1958 it was ceded to Australia. The island has been used to detain and process Asian asylum seekers who are intercepted at sea.

Christmas Island, in the Pacific Ocean

Christmas Island, atoll: see Kiritimati Kiritimati (kərĭs`məs), largest atoll in the Pacific (1990 pop.
..... Click the link for more information. .

Christmas Island

1. the former name (until 1981) of Kiritimati

2. an island in the Indian Ocean, south of Java: administered by Singapore (1900--58), now by Australia; phosphate mining. Pop.: 1500 (2004 est.). Area: 135 sq. km (52 sq. miles)

Christmas Island (redirected from Xmas island)

Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean

Christmas Island, in the Pacific Ocean

Christmas Island
(redirected from Xmas island)