Area:
total area: less than 3 sq km
land area: less than 3 sq km
comparative area: NA
note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea
area of about 1 million sq km, 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)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m

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 sq km

Environment:
current issues: no permanent fresh water resources
natural hazards: occasional, tropical cyclones
international agreements: NA

Geographic note: important nesting area for birds and turtles

People
------

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

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands

Data code: CR

Type of government: territory of Australia administered by the
Ministry for Environment, Sport, and Territories

Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia

Independence: none (territory of Australia)

Flag: the flag of Australia is used

Economy
-------

Economic overview: no economic activity

Transportation
--------------

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only

Defense
-------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited
regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over
the activities of visitors

======================================================================

@Costa Rica
----------

Map
---

Location: 10 00 N, 84 00 W -- Middle America, bordering both the
Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and
Panama

Flag
----

Description: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red
(double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white
disk on the hoist side of the red band

Geography
---------

Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the
North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua an