Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2001) | Heard Island and McDonald Islands (2001) | |
Area | total:
5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island |
total:
412 sq km land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC |
Background | These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983 it became a National Nature Reserve. Recent geological explorations have indicated promising petroleum formations. | These uninhabited, barren 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 | tropical | antarctic |
Coastline | 74.1 km | 101.9 km |
Country name | conventional long form:
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
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 Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories |
Diplomatic representation from the US | none (territory of Australia) | none (territory of Australia) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | none (territory of Australia) | none (territory of Australia) |
Disputes - international | none | none |
Economy - overview | no economic activity | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m |
lowest point:
Southern Ocean 0 m highest point: Big Ben 2,745 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of Australia is used | the flag of Australia is used |
Geographic coordinates | 12 14 S, 123 05 E | 53 06 S, 72 31 E |
Geography - note | Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 | primarily used for research stations |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1993) | 0 sq km (1993) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land:
0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) |
arable land:
0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% |
Legal system | the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia | Southern Africa, islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica |
Map references | Southeast Asia | Antarctic Region |
Maritime claims | contiguous zone:
12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM |
exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force | defense is the responsibility of Australia |
Natural hazards | surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards | Heard Island is dominated by a dormant volcano called Big Ben |
Natural resources | fish | none |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are only seasonal caretakers (July 2001 est.) |
uninhabited (July 2001 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | low with sand and coral | Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with a quiescent volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rocky |
Waterways | none | none |