Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2008) | Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2003) | |
Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Attorney-General's Department | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services |
Disputes - international | 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 | 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 |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (1998 est.) |
Location | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia, south of the Indonesian half of Timor island |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
contiguous zone: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island |
no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2003 est.) |
Ports and harbors | - | none; offshore anchorage only |
Waterways | - | none |