The 2005 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

of New Zealand, in consultation with

       the Cook Islands and at its request

      Transnational Issues Cook Islands

      Disputes - international: none

      This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

      ======================================================================

      @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: