2018 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2018 Archive (Wayback Machine)
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. The Coral Sea Islands Act 1969 was amended in 1997 to extend the boundaries of the Coral Sea Islands Territory around Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs.
Geography
Area
- land
- 3 sq km less than
- note
- includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km (300,000 sq mi) with the Willis Islets the most important
- total
- 3 sq km less than
- water
- 0 sq km
Area Comparative
about four times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Climate
tropical
Coastline
3,095 km
Elevation
- 0 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean
- note
- 9 highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island
Environment Current Issues
no permanent freshwater resources; damaging activities include coral mining, destructive fishing practices (overfishing, blast fishing)
Geographic Coordinates
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Geography Note
important nesting area for birds and turtles
Land Boundaries
0 km
Land Use
- arable land: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
- agricultural land
- 0% (2011 est.)
- forest
- 0% (2011 est.)
- other
- 100% (2011 est.)
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
fish
Terrain
sand and coral reefs and islands (cays)
People and Society
Population
- no indigenous inhabitants (2017 est.)
- note
- there is a staff of four at the meteorological station on Willis Island
Government
Citizenship
- note
- see Australia
Country Name
- conventional long form
- Coral Sea Islands Territory
- conventional short form
- Coral Sea Islands
- etymology
- self-descriptive name to reflect the islands' position in the Coral Sea off the northeastern coast of Australia
Dependency Status
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
Diplomatic Representation From The Us
- note
- none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic Representation In The Us
- note
- none (territory of Australia)
Flag Description
the flag of Australia is used
Legal System
the common law legal system of Australia, where applicable, applies
Economy
Economy Overview
no economic activity
Communications
Communications Note
automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relay data to the mainland
Transportation
Ports And Terminals
- note
- none; offshore anchorage only
Military and Security
Military Note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Disputes International
none