| Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2004) | Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2006) | |
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| 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: 5 sq km 
 land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island  | 
				
| Area - comparative | about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about eight 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. | 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. | 
| Climate | tropical | tropical | 
| Coastline | 74.1 km | 74.1 km | 
| Country name | conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands 
 conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands  | 
				conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands 
 conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands  | 
				
| Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services | 
| 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 | Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia has closed the surrounding waters to Indonesian traditional fishing and has created a national park in the region while continuing to prospect for hydrocarbons in the vicinity | Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia has closed the surrounding waters to Indonesian traditional fishing and created a national park in the region while continuing to prospect for hydrocarbons in the vicinity | 
| Economy - overview | no economic activity | no economic activity | 
| Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m 
 highest point: unnamed location 3 m  | 
				lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m 
 highest point: unnamed location 3 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 | 12 14 S, 123 05 E | 
| Geography - note | Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 | Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 | 
| 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) (2001)  | 
				arable land: 0% 
 permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (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 Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply | 
| Location | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between north-western Australia and Timor island | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island | 
| Map references | Southeast Asia | Southeast Asia | 
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm 
 contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm  | 
				territorial sea: 12 nm 
 contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing 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 Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force | 
| Natural hazards | surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards | surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards | 
| Natural resources | fish | fish | 
| People - note | the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem | 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 water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2004 est.)  | 
				no indigenous inhabitants 
 note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2006 est.)  | 
				
| Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | - | 
| Terrain | low with sand and coral | low with sand and coral |