Paracel Islands (2001) | Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2008) | |
Airports | 1 (2000 est.) | - |
Airports - with paved runways | total:
1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2000 est.) |
- |
Area | total:
NA sq km land: NA 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 | NA | about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
Background | This archipelago is surrounded by productive fishing grounds and potentially large oil reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Prattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops captured a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. However, the islands are still claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. | 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 | tropical | tropical |
Coastline | 518 km | 74.1 km |
Country name | conventional long form:
none conventional short form: Paracel Islands |
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
Dependency status | - | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Attorney-General's Department |
Diplomatic representation from the US | - | none (territory of Australia) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | - | none (territory of Australia) |
Disputes - international | occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam | 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 |
Economy - overview | China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism. | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point:
South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m |
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | - | the flag of Australia is used |
Geographic coordinates | 16 30 N, 112 00 E | 12 14 S, 123 05 E |
Geography - note | - | Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 |
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% |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005) |
Legal system | - | the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island |
Map references | Southeast Asia | Southeast Asia |
Maritime claims | NA | territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
Military - note | occupied by China | defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force |
Natural hazards | typhoons | 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: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2001 est.) |
no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island |
Ports and harbors | small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded | - |
Terrain | mostly low and flat | low with sand and coral |
Waterways | none | - |