Coral Sea Islands (2004) | Bouvet Island (2005) | |
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: 58.5 sq km
land: 58.5 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | NA | about 0.3 times the size of 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. | 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, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island. |
Climate | tropical | antarctic |
Coastline | 3,095 km | 29.6 km |
Country name | conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bouvet Island |
Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories | territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo |
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; declared a nature reserve |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m |
lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Olav Peak 935 m |
Environment - current issues | no permanent fresh water resources | NA |
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 Norway is used |
Geographic coordinates | 18 00 S, 152 00 E | 54 26 S, 3 24 E |
Geography - note | important nesting area for birds and turtles | covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve |
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% (93% ice) (2001) |
Legal system | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply | the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply |
Location | Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia | island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) |
Map references | Oceania | Antarctic Region |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
territorial sea: 4 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 Norway |
Natural hazards | occasional tropical cyclones | NA |
Natural resources | NEGL | none |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2004 est.) |
uninhabited (July 2005 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) | volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible |