Bouvet Island (2008) | Coral Sea Islands (2007) | |
Area | total: 49 sq km
land: 49 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 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC | NA |
Background | This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, it has run an automated meteorological station on the island. | Scattered over more than three-quarters of a 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 | antarctic | tropical |
Coastline | 29.6 km | 3,095 km |
Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bouvet Island |
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands |
Dependency status | territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Transport and Regional Services |
Diplomatic representation from the US | - | none (territory of Australia) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | - | none (territory of Australia) |
Disputes - international | none | none |
Economy - overview | no economic activity; declared a nature reserve | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Olav Peak 935 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 Transport and Regional Services |
Flag description | the flag of Norway is used | the flag of Australia is used |
Geographic coordinates | 54 26 S, 3 24 E | 18 00 S, 152 00 E |
Geography - note | covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve | important nesting area for birds and turtles |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km | 0 sq km |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (2005) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005) |
Legal system | the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
Location | island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) | Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia |
Map references | Antarctic Region | Oceania |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 4 nm | territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of Norway | defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors |
Natural hazards | NA | occasional tropical cyclones |
Natural resources | none | NEGL |
Population | uninhabited | no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.) |
Terrain | volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible | sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) |