Location:
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 3 sq km
less than
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 3 sq km
less than
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km (300,000 sq mi) with the Willis Islets the most important
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
253
Area - comparative:
about four times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
3,095 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
exclusive fishing zone: 200
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive fishing zone country ranks ]
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
sand and coral reefs and islands (cays)
Elevation:
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
unnamed location on Cato Island 9 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
agricultural land: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 100%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]
Natural hazards:
occasional tropical cyclones
Environment - current issues:
no permanent freshwater resources; damaging activities include coral mining, destructive fishing practices (overfishing, blast fishing)
Geography - note:
important nesting area for birds and turtles