Bassas da India (2002) | Coral Sea Islands (2005) | |
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Area | total: 0.2 sq km
land: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km |
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 780,000 sq km, with the Willis Islets the most important |
Area - comparative | about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | NA |
Background | This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968. | Scattered over some 1 million square kilometers of ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs. |
Climate | tropical | tropical |
Coastline | 35.2 km | 3,095 km |
Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bassas da India |
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands |
Dependency status | possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories |
Diplomatic representation from the US | - | none (territory of Australia) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | - | none (territory of Australia) |
Disputes - international | claimed by Madagascar | none |
Economy - overview | no economic activity | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m |
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | no permanent fresh water resources |
Executive branch | - | administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories |
Flag description | the flag of France is used | the flag of Australia is used |
Geographic coordinates | 21 30 S, 39 50 E | 18 00 S, 152 00 E |
Geography - note | the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano | important nesting area for birds and turtles |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1998 est.) | 0 sq km |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2001) |
Legal system | the laws of France, where applicable, apply | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique | Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia |
Map references | Africa | Oceania |
Maritime claims | exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of France | defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors |
Natural hazards | maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones | occasional tropical cyclones |
Natural resources | none | NEGL |
Population | uninhabited (July 2002 est.) | no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2005 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | volcanic rock | sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) |
Waterways | none | - |