Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2002) | Baker Island (2008) | |
Airports | - | one abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m covered with vegetation and unusable (2006) |
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: 1.4 sq km
land: 1.4 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in 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. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve. | The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast. |
Climate | tropical | equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun |
Coastline | 74.1 km | 4.8 km |
Country name | conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Baker Island |
Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services | unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system |
Diplomatic representation from the US | none (territory of Australia) | - |
Diplomatic representation in the US | none (territory of Australia) | - |
Disputes - international | - | 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: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 8 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | no natural fresh water resources |
Flag description | the flag of Australia is used | the flag of the US is used |
Geographic coordinates | 12 14 S, 123 05 E | 0 13 N, 176 28 W |
Geography - note | Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 | treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1998 est.) | 0 sq km |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (1998 est.) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
Legal system | the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply | the laws of the US, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia | Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia |
Map references | Southeast Asia | Oceania |
Maritime claims | contiguous zone: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 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 the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard |
Natural hazards | surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard |
Natural resources | fish | guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife |
People - note | the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem | - |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh waster at Ashmore Reef's West Island |
uninhabited
note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | - |
Terrain | low with sand and coral | low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef |
Transportation - note | - | there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast |
Waterways | none | - |