Cocos (Keeling) Islands

The total land area of 14 square kilometers is exceptionally small, often smaller than the footprint of major international airports or large urban parks globally. This physical constraint dictates the limit of potential economic activities, infrastructure development, and agricultural capacity.

Despite being geographically located in Oceania, the territory is administratively grouped under the 'Australia and New Zealand' subregion. This classification emphasizes its political and economic ties to Australia rather than its immediate neighbors in the broader Pacific Islands region.

The capital, West Island, serves as the administrative hub for fewer than 600 inhabitants across the entire territory. This setup suggests a highly centralized governance structure managing a minimal population base, likely relying heavily on external support from Australia.

Given its tiny area of only 14 sq km, the island group has a relatively high population density for a remote territory (approx. 42 people per sq km). While not extremely dense by global urban standards, this concentration on a small landmass highlights vulnerability to environmental factors like sea-level rise and resource scarcity.