1999 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1999 (Internet Archive)
Geography
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 1 million 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
Environment--international agreements
party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geographic coordinates
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Geography--note
important nesting area for birds and turtles
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1993)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)
Location
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Natural hazards
occasional, tropical cyclones
Natural resources
NEGL
Terrain
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
Data code
CR
Dependency status
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories
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
Legal system
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Economy
Economy--overview
no economic activity
Communications
Communications--note
there are automatic weather relay stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland
Military and Security
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
Disputes--international
none