Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2002) | Bouvet Island (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:
58.5 sq km land: 58.5 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about 0.3 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. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve. | This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825 when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island. |
Climate | tropical | antarctic |
Coastline | 74.1 km | 29.6 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: Bouvet Island |
Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services | territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo |
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; declared a nature reserve |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m |
lowest point:
South Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Olav Peak 935 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of Australia is used | the flag of Norway is used |
Geographic coordinates | 12 14 S, 123 05 E | 54 26 S, 3 24 E |
Geography - note | Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 | covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1998 est.) | 0 sq km (1993) |
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% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) |
Legal system | the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply | the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia | Southern Africa, island in the South Atlantic Ocean, south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) |
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: 12 NM |
territorial sea:
4 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 Norway |
Natural hazards | surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards | NA |
Natural resources | fish | none |
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 (July 2001 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | low with sand and coral | volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 m; coast is mostly inaccessible |
Waterways | none | none |