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Australia - Oceania :: Coral Sea Islands Print
Page last updated on December 17, 2020
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CORAL SEA ISLANDS
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  • Introduction :: Coral Sea Islands
  • Background field listing
    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.
  • Geography :: Coral Sea Islands
  • Location field listing
    Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
    Geographic coordinates field listing
    18 00 S, 152 00 E
    Map references field listing
    Oceania
    Area field listing
    total: 3 sq km less than
    land: 3 sq km less than
    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 field listing
    about four times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
    Land boundaries field listing
    0 km
    Coastline field listing
    3,095 km
    Maritime claims field listing
    territorial sea: 3 nm
    exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
    Climate field listing
    tropical
    Terrain field listing
    sand and coral reefs and islands (cays)
    Elevation field listing
    lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
    highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 9 m
    Natural resources field listing
    fish
    Land use field listing
    agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
    arable land: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
    forest: 0% (2011 est.)
    other: 100% (2011 est.)
    Natural hazards field listing
    occasional tropical cyclones
    Environment - current issues field listing
    no permanent freshwater resources; damaging activities include coral mining, destructive fishing practices (overfishing, blast fishing)
    Geography - note field listing
    important nesting area for birds and turtles
  • People and Society :: Coral Sea Islands
  • Population field listing
    no indigenous inhabitants (2017 est.)

    note: there is a staff of four at the meteorological station on Willis Island

  • Government :: Coral Sea Islands
  • Country name field listing
    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 field listing
    territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
    Citizenship field listing
    see Australia
    Diplomatic representation in the US field listing
    none (territory of Australia)
    Diplomatic representation from the US field listing
    none (territory of Australia)
    Flag description field listing
    the flag of Australia is used
  • Economy :: Coral Sea Islands
  • Economic overview field listing
    no economic activity
    Ease of Doing Business Index scores field listing
  • Communications :: Coral Sea Islands
  • Communications - note field listing
    automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relay data to the mainland
  • Transportation :: Coral Sea Islands
  • Ports and terminals field listing
    none; offshore anchorage only
  • Military and Security :: Coral Sea Islands
  • Military - note field listing
    defense is the responsibility of Australia
  • Transnational Issues :: Coral Sea Islands
  • Disputes - international field listing

    none