the Cook Islands and at its request
Transnational Issues Cook Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Coral Sea Islands
Introduction Coral Sea Islands
Background:
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.
Geography Coral Sea Islands
Location:
Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
18 00 S, 152 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
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
Area - comparative:
NA
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) (2001)
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
People Coral Sea Islands
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological
station (2005 est.)
Government Coral Sea Islands
Country name:
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
Legal system:
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Executive branch:
administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment,
Sport, and Territories
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
the flag of Australia is used
Economy Coral Sea Islands
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Communications Coral Sea Islands
Communications - note:
there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs
relaying data to the mainland
Transportation Coral Sea Islands
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Military Coral Sea Islands
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by
the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities
of visitors
Transnational Issues Coral Sea Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
======================================================================
@Costa Rica
Introduction Costa Rica
Background:
Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th
century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its
democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural
country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology
and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land
ownership is widespread.
Geography Costa Rica
Location:
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North
Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Geographic coordinates:
10 00 N, 84 00 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 51,100 sq km
land: 50,660 sq km
water: 440 sq km
note: includes Isla del Coco
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries: total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Coastline: 1,290 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy
season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Terrain:
coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100
volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Elevation extremes: