ARCHIVE // AU // 2016

Coral Sea Islands

2016 Edition — territory

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Communications
Communications - note [time series]
automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relay data to the mainland
Economy
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
no economic activity
Geography
Area [time series]
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 (300,000 sq mi) with the Willis Islets the most important | country comparison to the world: 252
Area - comparative [time series]
about four times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
tropical
Coastline [time series]
3,095 km
Elevation [time series]
mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m | highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
no permanent freshwater resources
Geographic coordinates [time series]
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Geography - note [time series]
important nesting area for birds and turtles
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 0% | arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent crops 0% | forest: 0% | other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2011 est.)
Location [time series]
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Map references [time series]
Oceania
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 3 nm | exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
occasional tropical cyclones
Natural resources [time series]
NEGL
Terrain [time series]
sand and coral reefs and islands (cays)
Government
Citizenship [time series]
see Australia
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory | conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands | etymology: self-descriptive name to reflect the islands' position in the Coral Sea off the northeastern coast of Australia
Dependency status [time series]
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
none (territory of Australia)
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
the flag of Australia is used
Legal system [time series]
the common law legal system of Australia, where applicable, applies
Introduction
Background [time series]
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. The Coral Sea Islands Act 1969 was amended in 1997 to extend the boundaries of the Coral Sea Islands Territory around Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs.
Military and Security
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of Australia
People and Society
Population [time series]
no indigenous inhabitants | note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
none; offshore anchorage only