Following administrations based in Sri Lanka and Singapore, control transferred to Australia in 1955. However, dissatisfaction with the Clunies-Ross feudal style of rule resulted in the Australian government forcing the family to sell the island for Aus$6 250 000. The last ruler, John Clunies-Ross lives in Perth in exile but his successors still inhabit the islands.
The islands are covered in coconut palms and experience a pleasant climate apart from occasional cyclones during the early months of the year. North Keeling Island is an atoll consisting of only one island with a land area of just over 1 sq km. The island is mostly made up of the Pulu Keeling NP (est 1995) and is uninhabited.
South Keeling Islands is an atoll of 26 islets and a total land area of 13 sq km. Only Home Island (ethnic Malays - 500 approx) and West Island (mostly ethnic Europeans - 120 approx) are populated. A Cocos dialect of Malay and English are the main languages and 80% of the Islanders are Sunni Muslim. Coconuts and copra are the islands' major exports and most necessities have to be imported from Australia. The Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd employs construction workers and stevedores, whilst the growing tourism industry employs others. There is a paved airport on West Island with scheduled flights from Perth and a lagoon anchorage.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands