World Factbook
Christmas Island
Territory of Christmas Island
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Area
land
135 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
135 sq km
Climate
tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain
steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Land use
other
100% (2018 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2018 est.)
Location
Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Coastline
138.9 km
Elevation
lowest point
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point
Murray Hill 361 m
Irrigated land
NA
Map references
Southeast Asia
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
12 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Geography - note
located along major sea lanes of the Indian Ocean
Natural resources
phosphate, beaches
Area - comparative
about three-quarters the size of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
10 30 S, 105 40 E
Population distribution
majority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island