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Coral Sea Islands
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Background:
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Scattered over some 1 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. |
| Geography | Coral Sea Islands |
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Location:
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Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia |
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Geographic coordinates: | 18 00 S, 152 00 E |
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: less than 3 sq km
note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km, with the Willis Islets the most important water: 0 sq km land: less than 3 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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NA |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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3,095 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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territorial sea: 3 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical |
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Terrain:
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sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m |
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Natural resources:
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NEGL |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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occasional tropical cyclones |
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Environment - current issues:
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no permanent fresh water resources |
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Geography - note:
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important nesting area for birds and turtles |
| People | Coral Sea Islands |
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Population:
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no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2004 est.) |
| Government | Coral Sea Islands |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands |
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Dependency status:
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territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories |
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Legal system:
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the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
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Executive branch:
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administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (territory of Australia) |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (territory of Australia) |
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Flag description:
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the flag of Australia is used |
| Economy | Coral Sea Islands |
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Economy - overview:
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no economic activity |
| Communications | Coral Sea Islands |
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Communications - note:
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there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland |
| Transportation | Coral Sea Islands |
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Waterways:
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none |
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Ports and harbors:
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none; offshore anchorage only |
| Military | Coral Sea Islands |
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Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors |
| Transnational Issues | Coral Sea Islands |
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Disputes - international:
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none |