Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2003) | Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2008) | |
Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Attorney-General's Department |
Disputes - international | nationalist group in Indonesia reportedly seeks to populate reefs to assert claims; Australia has moved to close reefs to Indonesian traditional fishing and to create a national park while prospecting for hydrocarbons in the vicinity | Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to these islands; Australia closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier Reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing and placed restrictions on certain catches |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1998 est.) | 0 sq 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% (all grass and sand) (2005) |
Location | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia, south of the Indonesian half of Timor island | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island |
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
contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2003 est.) |
no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | - |
Waterways | none | - |