2010 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2010 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Background
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
Area
- land
- less than 3 sq km
- total
- 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
- 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
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- arable land
- 0%
- other
- 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005)
- permanent crops
- 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 on Willis Island (July 2007 est.)
Government
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 Australian Government Attorney-General's Department
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 Australian Attorney-General's Department
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 terminals
none; offshore anchorage only
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none page last updated on November 17, 2010 ======================================================================