CORAL SEA ISLANDS (territory of Australia) GEOGRAPHY Total area: undetermined; includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 1 million km2, with Willis Islets the most important Comparative area: undetermined Land boundaries: none Coastline: 3,095 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: tropical Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other, mostly grass or scrub cover 100%; Lihou Reef Reserve and Coringa-Herald Reserve were declared National Nature Reserves on 3 August 1982 Environment: subject to occasional tropical cyclones; no permanent fresh water; important nesting area for birds and turtles Note: the islands are located just off the northeast coast of Australia in the Coral Sea PEOPLE Population: 3 meteorologists (1991) GOVERNMENT Long-form name: Coral Sea Islands Territory Type: territory of Australia administered by the Minister for Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories Roslyn KELLY Flag: the flag of Australia is used ECONOMY Overview: no economic activity COMMUNICATIONS Ports: none; offshore anchorages only DEFENSE FORCES Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors