ARCHIVE // AU // 2003

Coral Sea Islands

2003 Edition — territory

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Communications
Communications - note [time series]
there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland
Economy
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
no economic activity
Geography
Area [time series]
total: less than 3 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 water: 0 sq km land: less than 3 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
NA
Climate [time series]
tropical
Coastline [time series]
3,095 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
no permanent fresh water resources
Geographic coordinates [time series]
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Geography - note [time series]
important nesting area for birds and turtles
Irrigated land [time series]
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (1998 est.)
Location [time series]
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Map references [time series]
Oceania
Maritime claims [time series]
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM
Natural hazards [time series]
occasional tropical cyclones
Natural resources [time series]
NEGL
Terrain [time series]
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
Government
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
Dependency status [time series]
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
none (territory of Australia)
Executive branch [time series]
administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
the flag of Australia is used
Legal system [time series]
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Introduction
Background [time series]
Scattered over some 1 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.
Military
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors
People
Population [time series]
no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (July 2003 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]
none; offshore anchorage only
Waterways [time series]
none