Why are the Cocos Islands called the Keeling Islands?

The territory's dual name (official since the islands' incorporation into Australia in 1955) reflects that the islands have historically been known as either the Cocos Islands or the Keeling Islands. The territory consists of two atolls made up of 27 coral islands, of which only two – West Island and Home Island – are inhabited.

How do the Cocos (Keeling) Islands communicate?

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands have access to a range of modern communication services. Digital television stations are broadcast from Western Australia via satellite. A local radio station, 6CKI – Voice of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, is staffed by community volunteers and provides some local content.

What did John Clunies-Ross call the Cocos Islands?

John Clunies-Ross, who sailed there in the Borneo in 1825, called the group the Borneo Coral Isles, restricting Keeling to North Keeling, and calling South Keeling "the Cocos properly so called". The form Cocos (Keeling) Islands, attested from 1916, was made official by the Cocos Islands Act 1955 (3 & 4 Eliz. 2.

How do you get to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands?

Just don’t do both.” Unless you have a yacht and a lot of time, or your own plane, the only way to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is a twice-weekly Virgin flight out of Perth in Western Australia. Only about 4,000 tourists made it here in all of last year.

When were the Cocos Islands discovered?

British captain William KEELING discovered Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1609, and they were named the Cocos Islands in 1622 for their coconut trees. Some maps began referring to them as the Keeling Islands in 1703.

Are there signs on Cocos Islands?

Sign boards on the island also feature Malay translations. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands consist of two flat, low-lying coral atolls with an area of 14.2 square kilometres (5.5 sq mi), 26 kilometres (16 mi) of coastline, a highest elevation of 5 metres (16 ft) and thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation.