| Glorioso Islands (2005) | Coral Sea Islands (2005) | |
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| Airports | 1 (2004 est.) | - | 
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 1 
 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)  | 
				- | 
| Area | total: 5 sq km 
 land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock  | 
				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 eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | NA | 
| Background | A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. | 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 | 35.2 km | 3,095 km | 
| Country name | conventional long form: none 
 conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local long form: none local short form: Iles Glorieuses  | 
				conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory 
 conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands  | 
				
| Dependency status | possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories | 
| Diplomatic representation from the US | none (possession of France) | none (territory of Australia) | 
| Diplomatic representation in the US | none (possession of France) | none (territory of Australia) | 
| Disputes - international | claimed by Madagascar | none | 
| Economy - overview | no economic activity | no economic activity | 
| Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m 
 highest point: unnamed location 12 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 Environment, Sport, and Territories | 
| Flag description | the flag of France is used | the flag of Australia is used | 
| Geographic coordinates | 11 30 S, 47 20 E | 18 00 S, 152 00 E | 
| Geography - note | the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system | important nesting area for birds and turtles | 
| Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1998 est.) | 0 sq km | 
| Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km | 
| Land use | arable land: 0% 
 permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2001)  | 
				arable land: 0% 
 permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2001)  | 
				
| Legal system | the laws of France, where applicable, apply | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply | 
| Location | Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar | Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia | 
| Map references | Africa | Oceania | 
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm 
 exclusive economic zone: 200 nm  | 
				territorial sea: 3 nm 
 exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm  | 
				
| Military - note | defense is the responsibility of France | defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors | 
| Natural hazards | periodic cyclones | occasional tropical cyclones | 
| Natural resources | guano, coconuts | NEGL | 
| Population | no indigenous inhabitants 
 note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2005 est.)  | 
				no indigenous inhabitants 
 note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (2005 est.)  | 
				
| Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | none; offshore anchorage only | 
| Terrain | low and flat | sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) |