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| Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. |
| | Country | Surface Area: 135 square km
Population: 396 (July 2004 est.)
Located in: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Capital City: The Settlement
Head of State: Queen ELIZABETH II, by the Australian governor general
Prime Minister: Administrator Evan WILLIAMS
Independent since: territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
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