Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2008) | Bassas da India (2004) | |
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: 0.2 sq km
land: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about one-third 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. | This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968. |
Climate | tropical | tropical |
Coastline | 74.1 km | 35.2 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: Bassas da India |
Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Attorney-General's Department | possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion |
Diplomatic representation from the US | none (territory of Australia) | - |
Diplomatic representation in the US | none (territory of Australia) | - |
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 | claimed by Madagascar |
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 2.4 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of Australia is used | the flag of France is used |
Geographic coordinates | 12 14 S, 123 05 E | 21 30 S, 39 50 E |
Geography - note | Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 | the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (2001) |
Legal system | the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply | the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island | Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique |
Map references | Southeast Asia | Africa |
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 |
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 France |
Natural hazards | surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards | maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones |
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 water at Ashmore Reef's West Island |
uninhabited (July 2004 est.) |
Ports and harbors | - | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | low with sand and coral | volcanic rock |