The DICT Development Group
1 definition found
for Coral Sea Islands
From CIA World Factbook 2002 :
Coral Sea Islands
Introduction Coral Sea Islands
------------------------------
Background: 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 Willis
Island. Automated weather stations,
beacons, and a lighthouse occupy
many other islands and reefs.
Geography Coral Sea Islands
---------------------------
Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea,
northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: 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
Area - comparative: NA
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,095 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 3 NM
Climate: tropical
Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or
cays)
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on
Cato Island 6 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub
cover) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: occasional tropical cyclones
Environment - current issues: no permanent fresh water resources
Geography - note: important nesting area for birds and
turtles
People Coral Sea Islands
------------------------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to
four at the meteorological station
(July 2002 est.)
Population growth rate: NA
Government Coral Sea Islands
----------------------------
Country name: conventional long form: Coral Sea
Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea
Islands
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered
from Canberra by the Department of
the Environment, Sport, and
Territories
Legal system: the laws of Australia, where
applicable, apply
Executive branch: administered from Canberra by the
Department of the Environment,
Sport, and Territories
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the none (territory of Australia)
US:
Flag description: the flag of Australia is used
Economy Coral Sea Islands
-------------------------
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Communications Coral Sea Islands
--------------------------------
Communications - note: there are automatic weather stations
on many of the isles and reefs
relaying data to the mainland
Transportation Coral Sea Islands
--------------------------------
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Military Coral Sea Islands
--------------------------
Military - note: 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
--------------------------------------
Disputes - international: none
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