SELECT EDITION
CATEGORIES
◆ COMMUNICATIONS(1 fields)
Communications - note
there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland
◆ ECONOMY(1 fields)
Economy - overview
no economic activity
◆ GEOGRAPHY(17 fields)
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
Area - comparative
NA
Climate
tropical
Coastline
3,095 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Environment - current issues
no permanent fresh water resources
Geographic coordinates
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Geography - note
important nesting area for birds and turtles
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2001)
Location
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
occasional tropical cyclones
Natural resources
NEGL
Terrain
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
◆ GOVERNMENT(7 fields)
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
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Executive branch
administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used
Legal system
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
◆ INTRODUCTION(1 fields)
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.
◆ MILITARY(1 fields)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors
◆ PEOPLE(1 fields)
Population
no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2005 est.)
◆ TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES(1 fields)
Disputes - international
none
◆ TRANSPORTATION(1 fields)
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only