World Factbook
Coral Sea Islands
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
Location
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references
Oceania
Area
total: 3 sq kmless than
land: 3 sq kmless than
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
country comparison to the world: 253
Area - comparative
about four times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
3,095 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 3nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200nm
Climate
tropical
Terrain
sand and coral reefs and islands (cays)
Elevation
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 9 m
Natural resources
fish
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
arable land: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
forest: 0% (2011 est.)
other: 100% (2011 est.)
Natural hazards
occasional tropical cyclones
Environment - current issues
no permanent freshwater resources; damaging activities include coral mining, destructive fishing practices (overfishing, blast fishing)
Geography - note
important nesting area for birds and turtles
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants (2017 est.)
note: there is a staff of four at the meteorological station on Willis Island
Government
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
Legal system
the common law legal system of Australia applies where applicable
Citizenship
see Australia
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
Economy
Economy - overview
no economic activity
Communications
Communications - note
automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relay data to the mainland
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transportation
Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none
