2000 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2000 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
- land
- less than 3 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
- total
- less than 3 sq km
- water
- 0 sq km
Area - comparative
NA
Climate
tropical
Coastline
3,095 km
Elevation extremes
- highest point
- unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
- lowest point
- Pacific Ocean 0 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 (1993)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- arable land
- 0%
- forests and woodland
- 0%
- other
- 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)
- permanent crops
- 0%
- permanent pastures
- 0%
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 (July 2000 est.)
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
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
Economy
Economy - overview
no economic activity
Communications
Communications - note
there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland
Transportation
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only
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
- COSTA RICA