Jan Mayen (2005) | Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2006) | |
Airports | 1 (2004 est.) | - |
Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
- |
Area | total: 373 sq km
land: 373 sq km water: 0 sq km |
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 | slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC | about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
Background | This desolate, mountainous island was named after a Dutch whaling captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier claims are inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters and trappers over the following centuries, the island came under Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; it is the northernmost active volcano on earth. | 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 | arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog | tropical |
Coastline | 124.1 km | 74.1 km |
Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Jan Mayen |
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
Dependency status | territory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from Oslo through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however, authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Service | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services |
Diplomatic representation from the US | - | none (territory of Australia) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | - | none (territory of Australia) |
Disputes - international | none | 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 | Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the island. | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m |
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of Norway is used | the flag of Australia is used |
Geographic coordinates | 71 00 N, 8 00 W | 12 14 S, 123 05 E |
Geography - note | barren volcanic island with some moss and grass | 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% (2001) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005) |
Legal system | the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply | the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply |
Location | Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island |
Map references | Arctic Region | Southeast Asia |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 4 nm
contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
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 Norway | defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force |
Natural hazards | dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970 | surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards |
Natural resources | none | fish |
People - note | - | the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem |
Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and the weather and coastal services radio station (July 2005 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 | - |
Radio broadcast stations | AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
note: there is one radio and meteorological station (1998) |
- |
Terrain | volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers | low with sand and coral |