| Coral Sea Islands (2007) | Coral Sea Islands (2004) | |
![]()  | ![]()  | |
| 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 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 | NA | NA | 
| Background | 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. | 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 | 3,095 km | 3,095 km | 
| Country name | conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory 
 conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands  | 
				conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory 
 conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands  | 
				
| Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Transport and Regional Services | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories | 
| Diplomatic representation from the US | none (territory of Australia) | none (territory of Australia) | 
| Diplomatic representation in the US | none (territory of Australia) | 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 on Cato Island 6 m  | 
				
| Environment - current issues | no permanent fresh water resources | no permanent fresh water resources | 
| Executive branch | administered from Canberra by the Department of the Transport and Regional Services | administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories | 
| Flag description | the flag of Australia is used | the flag of Australia is used | 
| Geographic coordinates | 18 00 S, 152 00 E | 18 00 S, 152 00 E | 
| Geography - note | important nesting area for birds and turtles | important nesting area for birds and turtles | 
| Irrigated land | 0 sq km | 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) (2005)  | 
				arable land: 0% 
 permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2001)  | 
				
| Legal system | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply | 
| Location | Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia | Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia | 
| Map references | Oceania | Oceania | 
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 3 nm 
 exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm  | 
				territorial sea: 3 nm 
 exclusive fishing 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 Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors | 
| Natural hazards | occasional tropical cyclones | occasional tropical cyclones | 
| Natural resources | NEGL | NEGL | 
| Population | no indigenous inhabitants 
 note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station on Willis Island (July 2007 est.)  | 
				no indigenous inhabitants 
 note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2004 est.)  | 
				
| Ports and harbors | - | none; offshore anchorage only | 
| Terrain | sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) | sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) |