User:Kristen stanley/Christmas Island: Culture

The culture of Christmas Island, an Australian territory located in the Indian Ocean, is characterized by a unique blend of ethnicity, religion, language, tradition, and celebration. With such a large diversity, there are some very uncommon celebrations and holidays that take place on the island, such as Boxing Day, Vesak Day, ANZAC Day, and Mooncake Festival.

History
Christmas Island is named as such because it was discovered on Christmas day in 1693 by Captain William Mynors of the East India Ship Company. Phosphate deposits were first discovered on the island in 1887. Britain annexed Christmas Island shortly after in June of 1888. Later that year, the owner of the Cocos Islands sent a small party to Christmas Island to claim some of the island's resources. The people from Britain and Cocos fought for control of the phosphate deposits. Eventually, the British gained control and the people from Cocos left the island. In 1897, the Christmas Island Phosphate Company was created. The company sent its first shipments to Japan and Germany. However, in later years, Australia and New Zealand were the most valued customers. In 1948, the governments of both Australia and New Zealand bought the Christmas Island Phospate Company. Australia acquired Christmas Island from the UK in 1958. People continued to mine phosphate until December of 1987 when the government declared that the mines would be closed due to low phosphate prices.

Ethnicity
There is an abundance of diversity of ethnic backgrounds found on Christmas Island. Christmas Island has no indigenous population. The majority of the residents on Christmas Island are Chinese. The Chinese came to the island in large numbers when the mines were established. However, people of other ethnicities are also prevalent, including European and Malay. When phosphate deposits were found on the island, Cocos Malay workers were sent from the Cocos Islands. This is where the Malay population on Christmas Island comes from. All inhabitants of Christmas Island reside permanently in Australia; therefore, most have Australian citizenship.

Languages
The official language of the island is English. Malay residents often communicate using Bahasa Meluya. English is not a requirement to get a job on Christmas Island. For this reason, many residents are not fluent in English and still use their native language predominantly. All of the four Chinese dialects are also widely spoken on the island, although the original Chinese laborers spoke Cantonese. Some Cantonese words are still found in the names of certain places on the island. There is a small settlement on Christmas Island called Poon Saan, which is a Cantonese word meaning half way up the hill. In addition, due to extensive tourism, Indonesian, Thai, Japanese, German, and other European languages are spoken on the island.

Religion
People of many different religions can be found on Christmas Island. The various religions on Christmas Island contribute greatly to the diversity of the island’s culture. Religious tolerance is a very important to the residents of this Australian territory. This religious tolerance is represented by the many different place of worship found on the island, including:
 * Chinese temples (Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and others)
 * A Christian church
 * A Muslim mosque
 * A Bahá'í Centre (of the Baha'i religion)

The residents of Christmas Island hold many uncommon traditions that are unique, most of which are religious traditions. With such a diverse population, these traditions come from a mulititude of religions. Some of these traditions are dressing modestly to show respect (women), taking off one’s shoes before entering a house, temple, or mosque, eating, giving, and receiving with one's right hand (Muslims), and not touching a person’s head.

Celebrations/Festivals
Although residents of Christmas Island celebrate many common holidays, they also partake in many uncommon celebrations and festivals. Among the mainstream holidays which residents celebrate are New Year, Chinese New Year, Labour Day, Easter, and Christmas Day. Holidays celebrated on Christmas Island which are less common include: Festivals that take place on Christmas Island include Month of the Hungry Ghost, Mooncake Festival, Territory Week, and Arts Christmas Island Festival.
 * Australia Day
 * Hari Raya Haji
 * ANZAC Day
 * Vesak Day
 * Deepavali
 * Hari Raya Puasa
 * Boxing Day

Wildlife Programs
Because of the ecosystems on Christmas Island, a major focus of the inhabitants of the island is wildlife. Christmas Island National Park encompasses 63% of the island. Also, there are more indigenous species here than anywhere else on Earth. Christmas Island is especially known for its migration of red crabs. However, the island's wildlife is unique in many different ways including:
 * large coconut crabs
 * deep reefs
 * whale shark migrations
 * a wide array of birds (including Golden Bosun’s, Abbot’s Booby, and others)

Weather
The weather on Christmas Island is very tropical. The island has both wet and dry seasons, and during the wet season, February and March experience the most rainfall. Christmas Island does experience cyclones and monsoons. However, not one cyclone has been known to pass directly over the island since it was first settled. Humidity on the island generally ranges from 80% to 90%.