Oceania · Australia and New Zealand

Christmas Island

Capital: Flying Fish Cove
Population: 2,072
Region: Oceania
Languages: English

Fun fact

Every year, the island witnesses a spectacular biological phenomenon as millions of red crabs migrate from the forest to the coast to spawn. This massive movement is so significant that local authorities close many of the island's roads and construct specialized crab bridges to ensure the crustaceans reach the ocean safely. The synchronicity of the migration is tied specifically to the lunar cycle and the turning of the tides. This natural event has earned the territory a reputation as the 'Galapagos of the Indian Ocean' due to its unique biodiversity.

Currency

The official currency is the Australian Dollar, denoted by the ISO code AUD. Before the territory was transferred to Australian administration in 1958, the island primarily used the Straits Settlements dollar and later the Malayan dollar due to its historical ties to Singapore.

Flag symbolism

The flag features a diagonal division of blue and green, representing the surrounding sea and the island's lush tropical vegetation. In the center, a golden disc displays the map of the island in green, while the Southern Cross constellation appears on the blue field to signify its connection to Australia. A golden bosun bird, or silver tropicbird, is depicted in the fly, symbolizing the island's unique avian inhabitants and the grace of flight. This design was selected through a competition held in 1986 and officially adopted on the island's first Territory Day in 2002.

Emblem history

The formal coat of arms was granted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986 and features a blue and white wavy pattern representing the Indian Ocean. At its center stands a limestone pinnacle, reflecting the island's unique geological formation, while the crest features a golden bosun bird emerging from a crown. Supporting the shield are two distinct species of local land crabs, highlighting the island's most famous natural residents. The motto 'Terras Irradient' is inscribed at the base, an expression translated as 'Let them illuminate the lands,' emphasizing a commitment to progress and enlightenment.