*Coral Sea Islands, Geography

Location:
  Oceania, just off the northeast coast of Australia in the Coral Sea
Map references:
  Oceania
Area:
 total area:
  less than 3 km2
 land area:
  less than 3 km2
 comparative area:
  NA
 note:
  includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about
  1 million km2, with Willis Islets the most important
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  3,095 km
Maritime claims:
 exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
 territorial sea:
  3 nm
International 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:
  100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)
Irrigated land:   0 km2
Environment:
  subject to occasional tropical cyclones; no permanent fresh water; important
  nesting area for birds and turtles

*Coral Sea Islands, People

Population:
  no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 3 meteorologists

*Coral Sea Islands, Government

Names:
 conventional long form:
  Coral Sea Islands Territory
 conventional short form:
  Coral Sea Islands
Digraph:
  CR
Type:
  territory of Australia administered by the Ministry for Arts, Sport, the
  Environment, Tourism, and Territories
Capital:
  none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Independence:
  none (territory of 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