cation on Cato Island 6 m

Natural resources: NEGL

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass
or scrub cover) (1998 est.)

Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: occasional tropical cyclones

Environment - current issues: no permanent fresh water resources

Geography - note: important nesting area for birds and turtles

People Coral Sea Islands

Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of three
to four at the meteorological station (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate: NA

Government Coral Sea Islands

Country name: conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands

Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra
by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories

Legal system: the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply

Executive branch: administered from Canberra by the Department of the
Environment, Sport, and Territories

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia)

Flag description: the flag of Australia is used

Economy Coral Sea Islands

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Communications Coral Sea Islands

Communications - note: there are automatic weather stations on many of
the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland

Transportation Coral Sea Islands

Waterways: none

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

Military Coral Sea Islands

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

Transnational Issues Coral Sea Islands

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 1 January 2002

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Costa Rica

Introduction Costa Rica

Background: Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the
late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its
democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country,
it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism
sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership
is widespread.

Geography Costa Rica

Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the
North Pacific