Short facts about the geography of Coral Sea Islands

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

Geography - note:

important nesting area for birds and turtles

Source: World Factbook