Coral Sea Islands (2004) | Baker Island (2004) | |
Airports | - | 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2003 est.) |
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 780,000 sq km, with the Willis Islets the most important |
total: 1.4 sq km
land: 1.4 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | NA | about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
Background | 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. | The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast. |
Climate | tropical | equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun |
Coastline | 3,095 km | 4.8 km |
Country name | conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Baker Island |
Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories | unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system |
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 | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m |
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 8 m |
Environment - current issues | no permanent fresh water resources | no natural fresh water resources |
Executive branch | administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories | - |
Flag description | the flag of Australia is used | the flag of the US is used |
Geographic coordinates | 18 00 S, 152 00 E | 0 13 N, 176 31 W |
Geography - note | important nesting area for birds and turtles | treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1998 est.) | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2001) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001) |
Legal system | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply | the laws of the US, where applicable, apply |
Location | Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia | Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia |
Map references | Oceania | Oceania |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors | defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard |
Natural hazards | occasional tropical cyclones | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard |
Natural resources | NEGL | guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2004 est.) |
uninhabited
note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (2004 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast |
Terrain | sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) | low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef |
Transportation - note | - | there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast |