Introduction
Australia-Oceania :: Coral Sea Islands (territory of Australia)
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
Location:
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
Total: less than 3 sq km
Country comparison to the world: 249
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 (300,000 sq mi) with the Willis Islets the most important
Area - comparative:
NA
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
3,095 km
Maritime claims:
Territorial sea: 3 nm
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Natural resources:
NEGL
Land use:
Arable land: 0%
Permanent crops: 0%
Other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2011)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km (2011)
Natural hazards:
occasional tropical cyclones
Environment - current issues:
no permanent freshwater resources
Geography - note:
important nesting area for birds and turtles
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 Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
Legal system:
the common law legal system of Australia, where applicable, applies
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
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:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international:
none
Flag of Coral Sea Islands
Flag description:
the flag of Australia is used