Cocos (Keeling) Islands

The Cocos (Keeling) islands was Discovered in 1609 by William Keeling, the islands were later administered by Britain before being transferred to Australia in 1955. Today, the islands have a population of around 600 residents, primarily of Cocos Malay descent, with West Island serving as the administrative center. 

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a small Australian external territory located in the eastern Indian Ocean, approximately halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka. The territory consists of two coral atolls North Keeling Island and South Keeling Islands and is known for its tropical climate, coconut palms, and isolated geography. 

The population of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is largely descended from Malay workers brought to the islands in the 19th century by the Clunies-Ross family, who established a coconut plantation economy. These settlers, now known as the Cocos Malays, developed a distinct cultural and linguistic identity shaped by Malay traditions, Islam, and the islands’ isolation. For much of their history, the community lived under the private rule of the Clunies-Ross family until Australian administration expanded in the mid-20th century. Today, the Cocos Malay community remains central to the islands’ cultural life and heritage.