|  | |
| 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 abbreviation: HIMI | 
| 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 | The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. | 
| 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 | 
| Land boundaries | 0 km | 
| Land use | arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) | 
| 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 | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 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 | 
| 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 |