Page last updated on November 17,

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
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
country comparison to the world: 248
land: less than 3 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
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
[see also: Land boundaries country ranks ]

Coastline:
3,095 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

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
[see also: Elevation extremes - lowest point country ranks ]
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m
[see also: Elevation extremes - highest point country ranks ]

Natural resources:
NEGL

Land use:
arable land: 0%
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 0%
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2005)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]

Irrigated land:
0 sq km
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

Natural hazards:
occasional tropical cyclones

Environment - current issues:
no permanent freshwater resources

Geography - note:
important nesting area for birds and turtles