Area | total: 412 sq km
land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC |
Background | These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve. |
Climate | antarctic |
Coastline | 101.9 km |
Country name | conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage |
Diplomatic representation from the US | none (territory of Australia) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | none (territory of Australia) |
Disputes - international | none |
Economy - overview | No indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing around the islands. |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m |
Environment - current issues | NA |
Flag description | the flag of Australia is used |
Geographic coordinates | 53 06 S, 72 31 E |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Land boundaries | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) |
Legal system | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
Location | islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica |
Map references | Antarctic Region |
Maritime claims | exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols |
Natural hazards | Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island |
Natural resources | fish |
Population | uninhabited (July 2003 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky |
Waterways | none |