The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are located in the Indian Ocean 2,950 kms north-west of Perth, 3,700 kms west of Darwin, and 900 kms south west of Christmas Island (96° 52' East, 12° 10' South). There are 27 coral islands in the group, with a total land area of approximately 14km2. In 1955 the Islands, which had been governed through the British colonies of Ceylon, the Straits Settlements and Singapore, were accepted as a Territory of Australia.