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  Coral Sea Islands  
Flag of Coral Sea Islands
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In general, information available as of 1 January 2003
was used in the preparation of The World Factbook 2003.


This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003


Map of Coral Sea Islands

Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Coral Sea Islands
Background:
Definition Field Listing
Scattered over some 1 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    Coral Sea Islands
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Oceania
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: less than 3 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
water: 0 sq km
land: less than 3 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
0 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
3,095 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 3 NM
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
tropical
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
NEGL
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
occasional tropical cyclones
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
no permanent fresh water resources
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
important nesting area for birds and turtles
   People    Coral Sea Islands
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (July 2003 est.)
   Government    Coral Sea Islands
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
Dependency status:
Definition Field Listing
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
the flag of Australia is used
   Economy    Coral Sea Islands
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
no economic activity
   Communications    Coral Sea Islands
Communications - note:
Definition Field Listing
there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland
   Transportation    Coral Sea Islands
Waterways:
Definition Field Listing
none
Ports and harbors:
Definition Field Listing
none; offshore anchorage only
   Military    Coral Sea Islands
Military - note:
Definition Field Listing
defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors
   Transnational Issues    Coral Sea Islands
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003


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