Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
:Coral Sea Islands Geography
Total area:
less than 3 km2
Land area:
less than 3 km2; includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a
sea area of about 1 million km2, with Willis Islets the most important
Comparative area:
undetermined
Land boundaries:
none
Coastline:
3,095 km
Maritime claims:
Exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
Territorial sea:
3 nm
Disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
Natural resources:
negligible
Land use:
arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and
woodland 0%; other, mostly grass or scrub cover 100%; Lihou Reef Reserve and
Coringa-Herald Reserve were declared National Nature Reserves on 3 August
1982
Environment:
subject to occasional tropical cyclones; no permanent fresh water; important
nesting area for birds and turtles
Note:
the islands are located just off the northeast coast of Australia in the
Coral Sea
:Coral Sea Islands People
Population: 3 meteorologists (1992)
:Coral Sea Islands Government
Long-form name:
Coral Sea Islands Territory
Type:
territory of Australia administered by the Minister for Arts, Sport, the
Environment, Tourism, and Territories Roslyn KELLY
Capital:
none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Flag:
the flag of Australia is used
:Coral Sea Islands Economy
Overview: no economic activity
:Coral Sea Islands Communications