Christmas Island began appearing
on the charts of English and Dutch navigators from the early 1600s
. But it wasn't until 1643 that Captain William Mynors of the British East India Company named the island after sighting it on Christmas Day.
What was Christmas Island built for?
From the outbreak of war in South East Asia in December 1941, Christmas Island was a target for
Japanese occupation
because of its rich phosphate deposits. A naval gun was installed under a British officer and four NCOs supported by Indian soldiers.
What is Christmas Island famous for?
This tiny dog-shaped island was named on Christmas Day, 1643 by an English sea captain. Today it's a lush, off-the-beaten-path tourist destination famed for
its caves and coral reefs
. The biggest yearly attraction is the migration of fifty million red crabs down to the sea to spawn.
What happened in Christmas Island?
| Date 31 March − 1 April 1942 | Result Japanese victory | Territorial changes Christmas Island occupied by Japanese forces |
|---|
Who Invented Christmas Island?
First sighted in 1615 by
Richard Rowe, master of the Thomas
, the island was named on Christmas Day 1643 by Captain William Mynors of the British East India Company.
What religion is Christmas Island?
Islam and Buddhism
are major religions on the island. The religion question in the Australian census is optional and 28% of the population do not declare their religious belief, if any.
What language is spoken in Christmas Island?
Language.
English is the official
language on Christmas Island. However, more than half of our residents speak a language other than English at home. While on the island, you might hear people conversing in Mandarin, Malay, Cantonese, Min Nan, Tagalog and a variety of other languages.
Is the Biloela family still on Christmas Island?
Who are the Biloela family? Priya and Nades Murugappan and their two Australian-born daughters, Kopika and Tharnicaa,
have been held on Christmas Island since August 2019
, after a court injunction prevented them being deported to Sri Lanka.
Why is it called Christmas?
The traditionally Christian holiday is a celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus in Bethlehem to Joseph and the Virgin Mary. The English term “Christmas”
comes from the combination of the words “mass” and “Christ
,” according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.
How many Christmas Islands are there?
There are
two Christmas Islands
that are of particular interest to DXers. The DXCC entity of Christmas Island (VK9X) is an Australian-administered island located in the Indian Ocean south of Indonesia. Christmas Island in central/south Pacific is part of the DXCC entity of Eastern Kiribati (T32, ex VR3).
Can you holiday on Christmas Island?
Incredible Holiday Packages on Christmas Island
This tiny island in the Indian Ocean is a true paradise with some unique experiences on offer. Whether you're into adventure or prefer a more relaxed escape, there's a Christmas Island holiday package for everyone.
How many people were in detention on Christmas Island?
As of the end of April, there were 1,497 people in immigration detention, with
204
on Christmas Island.
Can you eat Christmas Island crabs?
They aren't edible
. Even if you can't eat them, it's definitely worth dropping by Christmas Island in December or January to watch a blanket of Red crabs migrate to the ocean and back – just be sure to wear boots.
Are there two Christmas Island?
| Geography | Coordinates 01°51′00′′N 157°24′00′′WCoordinates: 01°51′00′′N 157°24′00′′W | Archipelago Line Islands | Area 388.39 km 2 (149.96 sq mi) | Highest elevation 13 m (43 ft) |
|---|
Can you fly to Christmas Island?
International flights to Christmas Island are currently suspended
. We strongly recommend that ALL travellers purchase a travel insurance policy that covers travel to the Indian Ocean Territories. Please ensure that your policy covers weather related flight disruptions.
