Australia-Oceania :: Coral Sea Islands
(territory of Australia)
page last updated on November 17, 2011
Flag of Coral Sea Islands
Location of Coral Sea Islands
 
Map of Coral Sea Islands
Introduction ::Coral Sea Islands
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
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
18 00 S, 152 00 E
total: less than 3 sq km
country comparison to the world: 249
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
NA
0 km
3,095 km
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
tropical
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
NEGL
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005)
0 sq km
occasional tropical cyclones
no permanent freshwater resources
important nesting area for birds and turtles
People ::Coral Sea Islands
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.)
Government ::Coral Sea Islands
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government
the legal system of Australia, where applicable, applies
none (territory of Australia)
none (territory of Australia)
the flag of Australia is used
Economy ::Coral Sea Islands
no economic activity
Communications ::Coral Sea Islands
there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland
Transportation ::Coral Sea Islands
none; offshore anchorage only
Military ::Coral Sea Islands
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues ::Coral Sea Islands
none