West Island (Malay: Pulau Panjang, Cocos Malay: Pulu Panjang), part of the South Keeling Islands, is the capital of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean.
The population is roughly 120 making it the third smallest capital in the world, and consists mainly of Europeans.
It is less populous than Home Island, the only other inhabited island.
West Island was part of the Clunies-Ross plantation and an airstrip was built here during World War II.
As well as all the government buildings, it contains the airport, a general store and tourist accommodation.
In November 2013 it was revealed that the Australian Signals Directorate operates a listening station on West Island.
Education
Cocos Islands District High School operates a primary and secondary campus on West Island.
Most of the students of that campus originate from the Australian continent.Home.
Cocos Islands District High School.
Retrieved on 8 April 2019.
Heritage listings
West Island contains a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
Morea Close: Administration Building Forecourt
Air Force Road: Direction Island Houses
Qantas Close: Government House
Sydney Highway: Qantas Huts
RAAF Memorial
Air Force Road: Type 2 Residences
William Keeling Crescent: Type T Houses Precinct
Orion Close: West Island Elevated Houses
Air Force Road: West Island Housing Precinct
Alexander Street: West Island Mosque
See also
Direction Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Home Island
Horsburgh Island
North Keeling
References
