Coral Sea Islands Country Information

Travel Advice with Country Information from the CIA.

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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

total: 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

highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 9 m

lowest point:Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

fish

Land use

agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)

other:100% (2018 est.)

Natural hazards

occasional tropical cyclones

Geography - note

important nesting area for birds and turtles

People and Society

Population

no indigenous inhabitants (July 2021 est.)

note: there is a staff of four at the meteorological station on Willis Island

Environment

Environment - current issues

no permanent freshwater resources; damaging activities include coral mining, destructive fishing practices (overfishing, blast fishing)

Climate

tropical

Land use

agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)

other:100% (2018 est.)

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

embassy: none (territory of Australia)

Flag description

the flag of Australia is used

Economy

Economic 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 and Security

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Australia

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

none