The World Factbook (1990)/Coral Sea Islands

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Coral Sea Islands (territory of Australia)


 See regional map X



Geography


Total area: undetermined; 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:

Contiguous zone: 12 nm
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate: tropical

Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)

Natural resources: negligible

Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other, mostly grass or scrub cover; 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


People


Population: 3 meteorologists


Government


Long-form name: Coral Sea Islands Territory

Type: territory of Australia administered by the Minister for Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories Graham Richardson

Flag: the flag of Australia is used


Economy


Overview: no economic activity


Communications


Ports: none; offshore anchorages only


Defense Forces


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