aphy
_#_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
_%_
_@_Costa Rica
_*_Geography
_#_Total area: 51,100 km2; land area: 50,660 km2; includes Isla del
Coco

_#_Comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia

_#_Land boundaries: 639 km total; Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km

_#_Coastline: 1,290 km

_#_Maritime claims:

Continental shelf: 200 nm;

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm;

Territorial sea: 12 nm

_#_Climate: tropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season
(May to November)

_#_Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains

_#_Natural resources: hydropower potential

_#_Land use: arable land 6%; permanent crops 7%; meadows and pastures
45%; forest and woodland 34%; other 8%; includes irrigated 1%

_#_Environment: subject to occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along
Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season;
active volcanoes; deforestation; soil erosion

_*_People
_#_Popul