.)

Military

Military--note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in
consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request

Transnational Issues

Disputes--international: none

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

@Coral Sea Islands
-----------------

Geography

Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of
Australia

Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E

Map references: Oceania

Area:
total: less than 3 sq km
land: less than 3 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea
area of about 1 million sq km, with the Willis Islets the most
important

Area--comparative: NA

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 3,095 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate: tropical

Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m

Natural resources: NEGL

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)

Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)

Natural hazards: occasional, tropical cyclones

Environment--current issues: no permanent fresh water resources

Environment--international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA

Geography--note: important nesting area for birds and turtles

People

Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station

Government

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

Data code: CR

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

Economy--overview: no economic activity

Communications

Communications--note: there are automatic we