Geography of Coral Sea Islands

Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia.

Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E

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

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 3,095 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate: tropical

Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)

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

Natural resources: NEGL

Land use: arable land: 0%; permanent crops: 0%; other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005)

Irrigated land: 0 sq km

Natural hazards: occasional tropical cyclones

Environment - current issues: no permanent fresh water resources

Geography - note: important nesting area for birds and turtles.