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Australia-Oceania :: Coral Sea Islands
(territory of Australia)
page last updated on May 25, 2011
Flag of Coral Sea Islands
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Coral Sea Islands
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Map of Coral Sea Islands
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Introduction ::Coral Sea Islands
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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.
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Geography ::Coral Sea Islands
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Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
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18 00 S, 152 00 E
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total: less than 3 sq km
country comparison to the world: 247
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
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NA
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0 km
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3,095 km
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territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
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tropical
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sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
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NEGL
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005)
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0 sq km
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occasional tropical cyclones
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no permanent freshwater resources
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important nesting area for birds and turtles
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People ::Coral Sea Islands
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no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.)
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Government ::Coral Sea Islands
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conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
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territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government
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the legal system of Australia, where applicable, applies
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none (territory of Australia)
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none (territory of Australia)
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the flag of Australia is used
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Economy ::Coral Sea Islands
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no economic activity
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Communications ::Coral Sea Islands
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there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland
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Transportation ::Coral Sea Islands
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none; offshore anchorage only
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Military ::Coral Sea Islands
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defense is the responsibility of Australia
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Transnational Issues ::Coral Sea Islands
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none
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  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
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