Background: The islands were discovered in 1609, but remained uninhabited until the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands is split between the mostly Europeans on West Island and the Malays on Home Island.

NOTE: The information regarding Cocos (Keeling) Islands on this page is re-published from the 2001 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Cocos (Keeling) Islands Introduction 2001 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Cocos (Keeling) Islands Introduction 2001 should be addressed to the CIA.