| The World Factbook | ||
|
|
Coral Sea Islands |
|
|
| Introduction | Coral Sea Islands |
|
Background:
|
Scattered over some 1 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 | Coral Sea Islands |
|
Location:
|
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
18 00 S, 152 00 E |
|
Map references:
|
Oceania |
|
Area:
|
total: less than 3 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 water: 0 sq km land: less than 3 sq km |
|
Area - comparative:
|
NA |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
|
Coastline:
|
3,095 km |
|
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) (2001) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
0 sq km (1998 est.) |
|
Natural hazards:
|
occasional tropical cyclones |
|
Environment - current issues:
|
no permanent fresh water resources |
|
Geography - note:
|
important nesting area for birds and turtles |
| People | Coral Sea Islands |
|
Population:
|
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2004 est.) |
| Government | Coral Sea Islands |
|
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 the Environment, Sport, and Territories |
|
Legal system:
|
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
|
Executive branch:
|
administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories |
|
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 |
| Economy | Coral Sea Islands |
|
Economy - overview:
|
no economic activity |
| Communications | Coral Sea Islands |
|
Communications - note:
|
there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland |
| Transportation | Coral Sea Islands |
|
Ports and harbors:
|
none; offshore anchorage only |
| Military | Coral Sea Islands |
|
Military - note:
|
defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors |
| Transnational Issues | Coral Sea Islands |
|
Disputes - international:
|
none |
|
This page was last updated on 27 January, 2005 |