Coral Sea Islands

The following is the entry for the Coral Sea Islands from the CIA World Fact Book, 1992 edition.

: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

Ports:

none; offshore anchorages only

:Coral Sea Islands Defense Forces

Note:

defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors

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