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NAVIGATION
Coral Sea Islands Territory
INTRODUCTION
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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 Willis Island. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs. |
GEOGRAPHY
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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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exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 3 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) (1998 est.) |
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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 |
PEOPLE
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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 (July 2002 est.) |