"KIDS HOME STUDY WORLD FACTBOOK Coral Sea Islands

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.
Location
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references
Oceania
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
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
3,095 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
3 nm
exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Climate
tropical
Terrain
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
Elevation extremes
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point
unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Natural resources
NEGL
Land use
arable land
0%
permanent crops
0%
other
100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005)
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Natural hazards
occasional tropical cyclones
Environment - current issues
no permanent fresh water resources
Geography - note
important nesting area for birds and turtles

Population
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.)

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 Department of the Transport and Regional Services
Legal system
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Executive branch
administered from Canberra by the Department of the Transport and Regional Services
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used

Economy - overview
no economic activity

Communications - note
there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland

Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only

Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors

Disputes - international
none

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