Christmas Island

Island – the word island itself is so impressive and unique.The beauty of nature cant be expressed by words as i have always been  admiring the captivating glamor of the nature and islands here is yet another unique and amazing part of Australian territory in Indian ocean. Other posts related to major islands of Australia can be read here Island of Islands Part-1 and Island of Islands Part-2.

Rather than giving more explanation about the nature and its beauty i hope the above posts are enough to prove its admiration. So i would like to continue the description about the island “Christmas island”

Christmas Island

Christmas Island is one of natures most impressive feats, an island full of natural wonders: from the unique annual red crab migration to rare and unusual birds and glorious deserted beaches where the only footprints in the sand are those made by nesting turtles.With so many endemic species, the island is often referred to as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean. Yet it also displays a curious amalgam of cultures, history and industry, emerging as a place where all these elements create a truly unusual travel experience.

Location

The Territory of Christmas Island is a territory of Australia in the Indian Ocean. It is located 2,600 kilometers northwest of the Western Australian city of Perth, 500 km south of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, and 975 km ENE of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.It has a population of 1,402 residents who live in a number of “settlement areas” on the northern tip of the island: Flying Fish Cove , Silver City, Poon Saan, and Drumsite.The island’s geographic isolation and history of minimal human disturbance has led to a high level of endemism amongst its flora and fauna, which is of significant interest to scientists and naturalists.Phosphate, deposited as Guano, has been mined on the island for many years. 63% of its 135 square kilometers is National Park and there are large areas of primary rainforest.

Facts

• The picturesque sight was caught in hand on 1615 by Captain William Mynors of Royal Mary and gave it an indentification on 25th December 1643.
• After the detailed surveys about the island by Dr John Murray in 1872 the islet was  explored to world’s sight.Thereby showing the potential importance of phosphate mining.
• By the year 1985-1987 the exportation of phosphate was carried out by George Cluines-Ross and Dr John Murray with the Christmas Island Phosphate Company.
• Later the island was invaded by Japanese during the Second World War from 1942-1945. Some settlers fled prior to the invasion while some tried to escape to nearby jungle but were later caught as prisoners.
• Until 1957 the island was ruled by the British colony of Singapore and later purchased by Australia for 2.5 million pounds on January  1st 1958. Thus the territory day is celebrated on October 1st with great ecstasy and enthusiasm by the locals of the islet.
• Christmas Island and the Cocos or Keeling Islands together are called the Australian Indian Ocean Territories and since 1997 share a single Administrator resident onChristmas Island. 

Things to See and Do

Christmas Island is famous for its pristine wildlife. During the wet season (November to February) the red crabs migrate from the rainforest. The roads are literally a carpet of red moving crabs! This is a truly awesome sight and one not to be missed.The bird life is spectacular with Golden Bosuns, Boobies and Frigate birds swooping all around. The endangered Abbott’s Booby nests only onChristmas Island .In January the whale sharks can be seen on their annual migration.There are many tourist operators on the island which provide diving, fishing, bird and wildlife tours to mention just a few. All have extensive experience of the island.Visit some of the beautifulbeaches and coves, not to mention the spectacular blowholes and caves!!!! 

 

Beaches

There are a number of sand and shingle Beaches in Christmas Island which will make your vacation delightful. The Beaches in Christmas Island which have formed gradually over a period of years through volcanic eruptions within the Pacific Ocean and by the formation of reefs and corals have contributed to the beauty of thebeaches here.

Facitlties

The beaches are the most obvious attraction with facilities for

• windsurfing, kite surfing, boating for all adventure lovers
• sports activities
• diverse varieties of flora and fauna
• some rare sights into the varieties of coral, like whip corals and cabbage corals.

Placed in beautiful diving sites, the Christmas Island gives the traveler the exquisite richness of the island’s shores with abundant tropical beauty makes it a haven for visitors.