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.

Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia

18 00 S, 152 00 E

Oceania

total: less than 3 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
water: 0 sq km
land: less than 3 sq km

tropical

sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m

0 sq km (1998 est.)

occasional tropical cyclones

no permanent fresh water resources

important nesting area for birds and turtles

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

territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories

the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply

no economic activity

there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland

none; offshore anchorage only

defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors