The World Factbook | ||
Coral Sea Islands |
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Introduction | Coral Sea Islands |
Background:
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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. |
Geography | Coral Sea Islands |
Location:
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Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia |
Geographic coordinates:
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18 00 S, 152 00 E |
Map references:
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Oceania |
Area:
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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:
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NA |
Land boundaries:
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0 km |
Coastline:
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3,095 km |
Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
Climate:
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tropical |
Terrain:
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sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) |
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m |
Natural resources:
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NEGL |
Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005) |
Irrigated land:
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0 sq km |
Natural hazards:
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occasional tropical cyclones |
Environment - current issues:
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no permanent fresh water resources |
Geography - note:
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important nesting area for birds and turtles |
People | Coral Sea Islands |
Population:
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no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2005 est.) |
Government | Coral Sea Islands |
Country name:
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conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands |
Dependency status:
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territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories |
Legal system:
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the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
Executive branch:
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administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories |
Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (territory of Australia) |
Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (territory of Australia) |
Flag description:
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the flag of Australia is used |
Economy | Coral Sea Islands |
Economy - overview:
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no economic activity |
Communications | Coral Sea Islands |
Communications - note:
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there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland |
Transportation | Coral Sea Islands |
Ports and terminals:
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none; offshore anchorage only |
Military | Coral Sea Islands |
Military - note:
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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:
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none |
This page was last updated on 19 September, 2006 |