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Coral Sea Islands country facts

Coral Sea Islands Territory Australia-Oceania N/A 0 inhabitants 3 sq km 0.00 inhabitants/sq km territory of Australia population evolution

Introduction

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

Location

Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia

Geographic coordinates

18 00 S, 152 00 E

Area (sq km)

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

Area - comparative (sq km)

NA

Land boundaries (km)

0 km

Coastline (km)

3,095 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate

tropical

Terrain

sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)

Elevation extremes (m)

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m

Natural resources

NEGL

Land use (%)

arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2011)

Irrigated land (sq km)

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

Population

no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.)   evolution and prospects (1950-2100)

Government

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

Economy - overview

no economic activity

Communications

Communications - note

automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relay data to the mainland

Transportation

Ports and terminals

none; offshore anchorage only

Military

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Australia

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

none

Largest cities of Coral Sea Islands

These are the 50 largest cities of Coral Sea Islands ordered based on their number of inhabitants.

# City Population