The Territory of Christmas Island is a small, non self-governing territory of Australia located in 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.

About 1,500 residents live in a number of "settlement areas" on the northern tip of the island: Flying Fish Cove (also known as "The Settlement"), Silver City, Kampong, Poon Saan, and Drumsite.

The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, projected to begin operations in the near future.

Christmas Iseland 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 percent of its 135 square kilometres (52.1 sq. mi) are now National Park and there are large areas of pristine and ancient rainforest.