Bassas da India (2001) | Heard Island and McDonald Islands (2006) | |
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Area | total:
0.2 sq km land: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 412 sq km
land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC |
Background | 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. | These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve. |
Climate | tropical | antarctic |
Coastline | 35.2 km | 101.9 km |
Country name | conventional long form:
none conventional short form: Bassas da India |
conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands abbreviation: HIMI |
Dependency status | possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage |
Diplomatic representation from the US | - | none (territory of Australia) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | - | none (territory of Australia) |
Disputes - international | claimed by Madagascar | none |
Economy - overview | no economic activity | No indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing around the islands. |
Elevation extremes | lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m |
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of France is used | the flag of Australia is used |
Geographic coordinates | 21 30 S, 39 50 E | 53 06 S, 72 31 E |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1993) | 0 sq km |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land:
0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all rock) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
Legal system | the laws of France, where applicable, apply | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique | islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica |
Map references | Africa | Antarctic Region |
Maritime claims | exclusive economic zone:
200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of France | defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols |
Natural hazards | maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones | Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island |
Natural resources | none | fish |
Population | uninhabited (July 2001 est.) | uninhabited (July 2006 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | - |
Terrain | volcanic rock | Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky |
Waterways | none | - |