The World Factbook CIA Home CIA Home About CIA Careers Offices of CIA News & Information Library Kid’s Page Contact CIA CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

         
  Coral Sea Islands
(territory of Australia)		  
Flag of Coral Sea Islands
Click to enlarge
Categories Banner
 Introduction
 Geography
 People
 Government
 Economy
 Communications
 Transportation
 Military
 Transnational Issues

This page was last updated on 14 May 2009


Map of Coral Sea Islands




Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order

   Introduction    Coral Sea Islands Top of Page
Background:
 Definition Field Listing
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    Coral Sea Islands Top of Page
Location:
 Definition Field Listing
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Oceania
Area:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: less than 3 sq km
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 with the Willis Islets the most important
Area - comparative:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
NA
Land boundaries:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
0 km
Coastline:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
3,095 km
Maritime claims:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
tropical
Terrain:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
Elevation extremes:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Natural resources:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
NEGL
Land use:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005)
Irrigated land:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
occasional tropical cyclones
Environment - current issues:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
no permanent fresh water resources
Geography - note:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
important nesting area for birds and turtles
   People    Coral Sea Islands Top of Page
Population:
 Definition Field Listing Rank Order
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.)
   Government    Coral Sea Islands Top of Page
Country name:
 Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
Dependency status:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department
Legal system:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Executive branch:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department
Diplomatic representation in the US:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
 Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
the flag of Australia is used
   Economy    Coral Sea Islands Top of Page
Economy - overview:
 Definition Field Listing
no economic activity
   Communications    Coral Sea Islands Top of Page
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 Top of Page
Ports and terminals:
 Definition Field Listing
none; offshore anchorage only
   Military    Coral Sea Islands Top of Page
Military - note:
 Definition Field Listing
defense is the responsibility of Australia
   Transnational Issues    Coral Sea Islands Top of Page
Disputes - international:
 Definition Field Listing
none

This page was last updated on 14 May 2009
Bottom Banner