2009 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2009 (Project Gutenberg)
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.
Geography
Area
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
Area - comparative
NA
Climate
tropical
Coastline
3,095 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Environment - current issues
no permanent fresh water resources
Geographic coordinates
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Geography - note
important nesting area for birds and turtles
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005)
Location
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
occasional tropical cyclones
Natural resources
NEGL
Terrain
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
Dependency status
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Executive branch
administered from Canberra by the Australian Attorney-General's Department
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used
Legal system
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Economy
Economy - overview
no economic activity
Communications
Communications - note
there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland
Transportation
Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none page last updated on July 2, 2009