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Christmas Island: Western Australia
built 657 days ago
Christmas Island is a focal point for sea birds of various species. Eight species or subspecies of sea birds nest on the island. The most numerous is the Red-footed Booby that nests in colonies, in trees, on many parts of the shore terrace. The widespread Brown Booby nests on the ground near the edge of the seacliff and inland cliffs. Abbott's Booby (listed as endangered) nests on tall emergent trees of the western, northern and southern plateau rainforest. The Christmas Island forest is the only nesting habitat of the Abbott's Booby left in the world.
Christmas Island is an island which is located in the Indian Ocean. It is a small territory which is a non self-governing territory of Australia. It has a unique topography and has been a place of immense interest to scientists and naturalists. This is so because the flora and fauna of that place which has evolved in isolation has remain undisturbed by human habitation. So it has become a strategic place for all scientists and zoologists. This place ... consists of a national park.
During 2001, Christmas Island received a large number of refugees coming by boat, most of them from the Middle East. One of these boats resulted in a diplomatic standoff between Australia, Norway and Indonesia, which resulted in the asylum seekers being instead transported to the small country of Nauru for processing. See MS Tampa for more information. Another boatload of illegal immigrants was taken from Christmas Island to Papua New Guinea for processing, after many of the adult refugees threw their children into the water, apparently in protest of being turned away.
Under the Migration Act of 1981, Christmas Island residents were entitled to become residents and citizens of Australia. In 1984 the benefits of Australian social security, enfranchisement, health and education were extended to them; and progressively from 1985 to 1989, they became liable for income and other taxes. A proposal to secede from Australia was rejected in an unofficial referendum held in 1994.
The territory of Christmas Island is 870 miles northwest of Australia. Seventy-three percent of the population is Chinese; ... English is the primary language taught in school. The rest of the population is Malaysian, European, or Australian. The educational system recognizes and celebrates the various multicultural holidays and ceremonies.
Christmas Island is located 2600km's northwest of Perth, Western Australia. Its closest neighbour is Java a mere 360kms away. 63% of the islands 135 square kilometers is National Park. Christmas Island is an Australian external territory.
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