Coral Sea Islands :: Australia-Oceania
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
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
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:
about four times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
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:
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
unnamed location on Cato Island 9 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
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:
occasional tropical cyclones
Environment - current issues:
no permanent freshwater resources; damaging activities include coral mining, destructive fishing practices (overfishing, blast fishing)
Geography - note:
important nesting area for birds and turtles
People and Society
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
(2017 est.)
note: there is a staff of four at the meteorological station on Willis Island
Government
Country name:
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:
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 applies where applicable
Citizenship:
see Australia
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
Economic overview:
no economic activity
Ease of Doing Business Index scores:
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 and Security
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international:
none
