Heard Island and McDonald Islands (2007) | Tromelin Island (2004) | |
Airports | - | 1 (2003 est.) |
Airports - with unpaved runways | - | total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
Area | total: 412 sq km
land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 1 sq km
land: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC | about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
Background | 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. | First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station. |
Climate | antarctic | tropical |
Coastline | 101.9 km | 3.7 km |
Country name | conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands abbreviation: HIMI |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tromelin Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Tromelin |
Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage | 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 | none | claimed by Mauritius |
Economy - overview | The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m |
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of Australia is used | the flag of France is used |
Geographic coordinates | 53 06 S, 72 31 E | 15 52 S, 54 25 E |
Geography - note | - | climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) |
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% (2005) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (2001) |
Legal system | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply | the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
Location | islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica | Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar |
Map references | Antarctic Region | Africa |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols | defense is the responsibility of France |
Natural hazards | Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island | NA |
Natural resources | fish | fish |
Population | uninhabited | uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2004 est.) |
Ports and harbors | - | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | 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 | low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic |