Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

I have included this section and especially Christmas Island as this is my home - I was born at flying fish cove in 1947 - what seem like a life time ago. Although I've never been back since leaving the island, I dop feel that this, along with many others,are important environments that must be maintained for prosperity.

Christmas Island set 360 km from the coast of Java in deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.

It maintains about 1,600 residents who live in a number of "settlement areas" on the northern tip of the island. Flying Fish Cove (also known as Kampong), Settlement, Silver City , Poon Saan and Drumsite.

It has a unique natural topography and is of immense interest to scientists and naturalists due to the number of species of endemic flora and fauna which have evolved in isolation and undisturbed by human habitation.

While there has been mining activity on the island for many years, 65% of its 135 square kilometres (52 sq mi) are now National Park and there are large areas of pristine and ancient rainforest.

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