Global market economic indicators
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Coral Sea Islands
Map of Coral Sea Islands
Introduction - Coral Sea Islands
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Background:
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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 the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs. |
Geography - Coral Sea Islands
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Location:
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Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
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Geographic coordinates:
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18 00 S, 152 00 E
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Map references:
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Oceania
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Area:
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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
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Area - comparative:
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NA
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Land boundaries:
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0 km
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Coastline:
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3,095 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
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Climate:
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tropical
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Terrain:
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sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
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Natural resources:
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NEGL
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2001)
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.)
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Natural hazards:
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occasional tropical cyclones
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Environment - current issues:
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no permanent fresh water resources
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Geography - note:
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important nesting area for birds and turtles
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People - Coral Sea Islands
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Population:
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no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2004 est.)
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Government - Coral Sea Islands
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
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Dependency status:
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territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories
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Legal system:
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the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
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Executive branch:
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administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (territory of Australia)
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (territory of Australia)
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Flag description:
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the flag of Australia is used
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Economy - Coral Sea Islands
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Economy - overview:
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no economic activity
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Communications - Coral Sea Islands
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Communications - note:
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there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland
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Transportation - Coral Sea Islands
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Ports and harbors:
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none; offshore anchorage only
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Military - Coral Sea Islands
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Military - note:
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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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Transnational Issues - Coral Sea Islands
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Disputes - international:
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none
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This page was last updated on 5 October, 2004
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