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| Coral Sea Islands Main Page · World Factbook Main Page |
INTRODUCTION
Scattered over more than three-quarters of a million square kilometers of ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs. |
GEOGRAPHY
Location: | |
| Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia | |
Geographic Coordinates: | |
| 18 00 S, 152 00 E | |
Area: | |
| Total: less than 3 sq km Land: less than 3 sq km Water: 0 sq km Note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km with the Willis Islets the most important | |
Land Boundaries: | |
| 0 km | |
Coastline: | |
| 3,095 km (Rank: 39) | |
Maritime Claims: | |
| Territorial sea: 3 nm Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm | |
Climate: | |
| Tropical | |
Terrain: | |
| Sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) | |
Elevation Extremes: | |
| Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m | |
Natural Resources: | |
| NEGL | |
Land Use: | |
| Arable land: 0% Permanent crops: 0% Other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005) | |
Irrigated Land: | |
| 0 sq km | |
Natural Hazards: | |
| Occasional tropical cyclones | |
Environment - Current Issues: | |
| No permanent freshwater resources | |
Geography - Note: | |
| Important nesting area for birds and turtles | |
Population: | |
| No indigenous inhabitants Note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.) | |
Country Name: | |
| Conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory Conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands | |
Dependency Status: | |
| Territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government | |
Legal System: | |
| The legal system of Australia, where applicable, applies | |
Diplomatic Representation in the US: | |
| None (territory of Australia) | |
Diplomatic Representation From the US: | |
| None (territory of Australia) | |
Flag Description: | |
| The flag of Australia is used | |
Affiliation: | |
| (territory of Australia) | |
Economy - Overview: | |
| No economic activity | |
Communications - Note: | |
| There are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland | |
Ports and Terminals: | |
| None; offshore anchorage only | |
Military - Note: | |
| Defense is the responsibility of Australia | |
| Coral Sea Islands Main Page | World Factbook Main Page |
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