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Compare Coral Sea Islands (2004) - Spratly Islands (2004)

Compare Coral Sea Islands (2004) z Spratly Islands (2004)

 Coral Sea Islands (2004)Spratly Islands (2004)
 Coral Sea IslandsSpratly Islands
Airports - 3 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways - total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


less than 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 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: less than 5 sq km


land: less than 5 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South China Sea
Area - comparative NA NA
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 Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Brunei has established a fishing zone that overlaps a southern reef, but has not made any formal claim.
Climate tropical tropical
Coastline 3,095 km 926 km
Country name conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory


conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Spratly Islands
Dependency status 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 none all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands but has not publicly claimed the reef; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," which has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct"
Economy - overview no economic activity Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored; there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m


highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 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 -
Geographic coordinates 18 00 S, 152 00 E 8 38 N, 111 55 E
Geography - note important nesting area for birds and turtles strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
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 -
Location Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines
Map references Oceania Southeast Asia
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
NA
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs, of which about 45 are claimed and occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam
Natural hazards occasional tropical cyclones typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals
Natural resources NEGL fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
Population no indigenous inhabitants


note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2004 est.)
no indigenous inhabitants


note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by personnel of several claimant states (July 2004 est.)
Ports and harbors none; offshore anchorage only none; offshore anchorage only
Terrain sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) flat
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