Paracel Islands (2001) | Coral Sea Islands (2002) | |
Airports | 1 (2000 est.) | - |
Airports - with paved runways | total:
1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2000 est.) |
- |
Area | total:
NA sq km land: NA sq km water: 0 sq km |
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 | This archipelago is surrounded by productive fishing grounds and potentially large oil reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Prattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops captured a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. However, the islands are still claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. | 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 Willis Island. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs. |
Climate | tropical | tropical |
Coastline | 518 km | 3,095 km |
Country name | conventional long form:
none conventional short form: Paracel 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 Environment, Sport, and Territories |
Diplomatic representation from the US | - | none (territory of Australia) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | - | none (territory of Australia) |
Disputes - international | occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam | none |
Economy - overview | China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism. | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point:
South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 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 Australia is used |
Geographic coordinates | 16 30 N, 112 00 E | 18 00 S, 152 00 E |
Geography - note | - | important nesting area for birds and turtles |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1993) | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land:
0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (1998 est.) |
Legal system | - | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines | Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia |
Map references | Southeast Asia | Oceania |
Maritime claims | NA | exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 3 NM |
Military - note | occupied by China | defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors |
Natural hazards | typhoons | occasional tropical cyclones |
Natural resources | none | NEGL |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2001 est.) |
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological station (July 2002 est.) |
Ports and harbors | small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | mostly low and flat | sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) |
Waterways | none | none |