1993 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1993 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
total area: less than 3 km2 land area: less than 3 km2 comparative area: NA note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 1 million km2, with Willis Islets the most important
Climate
tropical
Coastline
3,095 km
Environment
subject to occasional tropical cyclones; no permanent fresh water; important nesting area for birds and turtles
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
0 km2
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)
Location
Oceania, just off the northeast coast of Australia in the Coral Sea
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Natural resources
negligible
Terrain
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 3 meteorologists
Government
Capital
none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Digraph
CR
Flag
the flag of Australia is used
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
Names
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
Type
territory of Australia administered by the Ministry for Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories
Economy
Overview
no economic activity
Communications
Ports
none; offshore anchorages only
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors