| Coral Sea Islands |
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Map:
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| Background: Scattered over more than three-quarters of a 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 and Environmental |
| Area Total: less than 3 sq km |
| Area Land: less than 3 sq km |
| Area Water: 0 sq km |
| Area 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 |
| Area Comparative: NA |
| Coastline: 3,095 km |
| Climate: tropical |
| Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) |
| Elevation Extremes Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean 0 m |
| Elevation Extremes Highest Point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m |
| Natural Resources: NEGL |
| Land Use Arable Land: 0% |
| Land Use Permanent Crops: 0% |
| Land Use Other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005) |
| Irrigated Land: 0 sq km |
| Natural Hazards: occasional tropical cyclones |
| Environment Current Issues: no permanent fresh water resources |
| Geography Note: important nesting area for birds and turtles |
| Population |
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.) |
| Legal System: the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
| Economy |
| Overview: no economic activity |
| Energy |
| Communications |
| Transportation |
| Disputes International: none |