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Introduction |
Coral Sea Islands |
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| 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. |
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Geography |
Coral Sea Islands |
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| Area |
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 |
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) |
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| Population |
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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Transportation |
Coral Sea Islands |
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| Ports and terminals |
none; offshore anchorage only |
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Government |
Coral Sea Islands |
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| 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 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 |
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Economy |
Coral Sea Islands |
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| Economy - overview |
no economic activity |
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Communications |
Coral Sea Islands |
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| Communications - note |
there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland |
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Military |
Coral Sea Islands |
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| Military - note |
defense is the responsibility of Australia |
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Transnational Issues |
Coral Sea Islands |
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| Disputes - international |
none |
