The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a small Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean, located about midway between Australia and Sri Lanka. Here are some critical facts about the Cocos (Keeling) Islands:

- They consist of 27 coral islands, with a total land area of just 14 square km (5.4 sq miles).

- The islands are an Australian territory, but they are located around 2,750 km (1,700 miles) northwest of the Australian mainland.

- The population is around 600 people, most living on the atolls of Home Island and West Island.

- Britain first settled the islands in 1826 to establish a colony for producing coconuts and coconut products.

- They were transferred from British to Australian control in 1955 and became an Australian territory in 1984.

- The primary language is English, though some islanders speak Cocos Malay.

- Tourism, fishing, and the local production of handicrafts are essential parts of the economy.

- The islands have a fascinating history of mutinies, shipwrecks, and the Clunies-Ross family's private territory ownership from 1825 to 1978.

- The islands are known for their exceptional marine biodiversity and scuba diving sites around the coral atolls.

So, in summary, the remote Cocos Islands are a small Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean with a long history despite their tiny size and population.