Cocos (Keeling) Islands is located in Australia and New Zealand, and its capital is West Island. Its official currency is the Australian dollar (AUD).
What stands out
Practical reference
Australian dollar (AUD)
Cocos (Keeling) Islands uses Australian dollar (AUD), calling code +61, internet domain .cc.
About Cocos (Keeling) Islands
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a remote Australian external territory comprising 27 coral islands scattered across the turquoise waters of the eastern Indian Ocean, offering a serene blend of tropical beauty and multicultural charm.
Located about 2,750 km northwest of Perth, the islands form two atoll groups—West Island and Home Island—encircling a shallow lagoon teeming with marine life. Low-lying and flat, the land is dominated by white sandy beaches, coconut palms, and a rich coral reef system that makes the area a haven for snorkelers and divers.
The islands' culture reflects a unique mix of Cocos Malay heritage, Australian influence, and Islamic traditions. Residents celebrate festivals such as Hari Raya and Christmas, and their cuisine blends Malay staples like nasi goreng and satay with fresh seafood, coconut, and tropical fruits.
First sighted by Dutch explorer Captain William Keeling in 1609, the islands were later annexed by the British in 1857. They became an Australian territory in 1955, and in 1993 a self‑government agreement granted the Cocos Malay community greater control over local affairs.
Key facts
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are the only Australian external territory where the majority of residents are of Malay descent.
Population: roughly 600 people living on a total land area of 14 square kilometers (5.4 sq mi).
Home to the world’s southernmost coral reef, supporting an extraordinary diversity of marine species.
This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.
Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.
The capital of Cocos (Keeling) Islands is West Island.
What currency is used in Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
Cocos (Keeling) Islands uses the Australian dollar (AUD), with the symbol $.
Where is Cocos (Keeling) Islands located?
Cocos (Keeling) Islands is located in Australia and New Zealand, Oceania.
What are people from Cocos (Keeling) Islands called?
People from Cocos (Keeling) Islands are referred to as Cocos Island.
What is the phone calling code for Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
The international dialing code for Cocos (Keeling) Islands is +61.
What is the internet domain for Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Cocos (Keeling) Islands is .cc.
What time zone is Cocos (Keeling) Islands in?
Cocos (Keeling) Islands uses the Indian/Cocos time zone.
What is Cocos (Keeling) Islands known for?
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a remote Australian external territory comprising 27 coral islands scattered across the turquoise waters of the eastern Indian Ocean, offering a serene blend of tropical beauty and multicultural charm.
Australia and New Zealand