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Australia-Oceania :: Coral Sea Islands (territory of Australia)

- ## Introduction :: CORAL SEA ISLANDS

- Background:
  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:
  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 (300,000 sq mi) with the Willis Islets the most important
  country comparison to the world: 252
  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 (cays)
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
  highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
  Natural resources:
  NEGL
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 0%
  arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent crops 0%
  forest: 0%
  other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  0 sq km (2011)
  Natural hazards:
  occasional tropical cyclones
  Environment - current issues:
  no permanent freshwater resources
  Geography - note:
  important nesting area for birds and turtles

- ## People and Society :: CORAL SEA ISLANDS

- Population:
  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

- 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 Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
  Legal system:
  the common law legal system of Australia, where applicable, applies
  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 :: CORAL SEA ISLANDS

- Economy - overview:
  no economic activity

- ## Communications :: CORAL SEA ISLANDS

- Communications - note:
  automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relay data to the mainland

- ## Transportation :: CORAL SEA ISLANDS

- Ports and terminals:
  none; offshore anchorage only

- ## Military :: CORAL SEA ISLANDS

- Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of Australia

- ## Transnational Issues :: CORAL SEA ISLANDS

- Disputes - international:
  none

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