Native name: | |
|---|---|
_Islands&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Cocos_(Keeling)_Islands_(32206670676).jpg) | |
_Islands&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Cocos_(Keeling)_Islands-CIA_WFB_Map.png) The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, showing West Island | |
_Islands&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Cocos_(Keeling)_Islands_location_map.svg)  West Island West Island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Indian Ocean |
| Coordinates | 12°11′13″S 96°49′42″E / 12.18694°S 96.82833°E |
| Archipelago | Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
| Area | 6.23 km2 (2.41 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
Australia | |
| External territory of Australia | Australian Indian Ocean Territories |
| Territory | Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
| Capital city | Canberra |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 120 |
| Languages | |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
West Island (Malay: Pulau Panjang, Cocos Islands Malay: Pulu Panjang), part of the South Keeling Islands, is the capital of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean. The population is roughly 120, making it the third smallest capital in the world, and consists mainly of Europeans. It is less populous than Home Island, the only other inhabited island.
West Island was part of the Clunies-Ross plantation and an airstrip was built here during World War II. As well as all the government buildings, it contains the airport, a general store and tourist accommodation. In November 2013 it was revealed that the Australian Signals Directorate operates a listening station on West Island.[1]
- ^ Dorling, Philip (1 November 2013). "Listening post revealed on Cocos Islands". Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013.