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
- Area 252/257
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
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
mean elevation:
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.)
- 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.)
Government
- Country name
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
- Legal system
the common law legal system of Australia, where applicable, applies
- Citizenship
see Australia
- Flag description
the flag of Australia is used
Economy
- Economy - overview
no economic activity
Transportation
- Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only
Transnational Issues
- Disputes - international
none