The World Factbook (1990)/Coral Sea Islands
Coral Sea Islands (territory of Australia)
_Coral_Sea_Islands.jpg)
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