Christmas Island, Australia

Many of us know Australia as a country and continent with deserts, beaches, and huge insects, but you may not know that secluded in the Indian Ocean is the Australian external territory of Christmas Island. While the island belongs to Australia, its multicultural community bears a resemblance to that of Singapore.

How did Christmas Island get its name?

Winifred Beach, Christmas Island. Image credit: J adams via Google Maps

Christmas Island isn’t a winter wonderland, nor does it have Christmas trees growing on the island. Many navigators had spotted the island since the early 1600s, but it was Captain William Mynors of the British East India Company who gave Christmas Island its name after sighting it on Christmas Day, 1643.

Where is Christmas Island?