Country Profile: Coral Sea Islands

The Coral Sea Islands are a remote territory of Australia, consisting of numerous small islands and reefs scattered in the Coral Sea northeast of Australia. The area is uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff stationed on Willis Island. Governed by Australia, the islands are administered from Canberra and are primarily known for their environmental significance, serving as critical nesting grounds for various bird and turtle species. The territory is largely devoid of permanent human settlement and has limited economic activities.

Geography

The Coral Sea Islands are situated in Oceania, northeast of Australia, characterized by a tropical climate and an area of just 3 square kilometers. The islands predominantly consist of sand and coral reefs, with the Willis Islets being the most significant among them. They have a total coastline of 3,095 kilometers, and the highest point is just 9 meters above sea level. The territory's maritime claims extend to a 200-nautical mile exclusive fishing zone.

3 sq km total area, less than that of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
3,095 km of coastline.
200 nm exclusive fishing zone.

People and Society

The Coral Sea Islands have no permanent inhabitants; however, Willis Island is home to a small meteorological staff. This unique status underscores the islands' environmental character and their limited human interaction.

0 permanent inhabitants.
1 small meteorological team on Willis Island.

Environment

The Coral Sea Islands face environmental challenges, primarily due to a lack of freshwater resources and destructive activities like coral mining and overfishing. They are also an important nesting area for various bird and turtle species, making their preservation crucial.

0% of land used for agriculture (2018 estimate).
100% of land classified as other (primarily natural habitats).
Tropical climate with occasional tropical cyclones.

Government

The Coral Sea Islands are classified as a territory of Australia, administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport. The islands utilize the common law system of Australia, and the Australian flag represents them.

Conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory.
Dependent on: Australia for governance and defense.
Flag: Uses the flag of Australia.

Military and Security

Defense responsibilities for the Coral Sea Islands fall under Australia, given their status as an external territory. There is no military presence specific to the islands, reflecting their remote and uninhabited nature.

Defense responsibility: Australia.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Area	3 sq km	Total area of the islands
Population	0	No permanent inhabitants
Coastline	3,095 km	Total coastline length
Highest Point	9 m	Elevation on Cato Island
Exclusive Fishing Zone	200 nm	Maritime claim
Land Use (Agricultural)	0%	No agricultural activity
Land Use (Other)	100%	Natural habitats