Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI)
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean.
Comprising a small archipelago approximately midway between Australia and Sri Lanka and relatively close to the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
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.
Cocos refers to the abundant coconut trees, while Keeling refers to William Keeling, who discovered the islands in 1609.
The territory is administered by the Australian federal government's Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications as an Australian external territory and together with Christmas Island (which is about 960 kilometres (600 mi) to the east) forms the Australian Indian Ocean Territories administrative grouping.
The islands were discovered in 1609 by the British sea captain William Keeling, but no settlement occurred until the early 19th century.
Cocos Islands
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