| Background: |
These
uninhabited, barren 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. |
| Location: |
Southern Africa,
islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way
from Madagascar to Antarctica |
| Geographic
coordinates: |
53 06 S, 72 31 E |
| Map
references: |
Antarctic Region |
| Area: |
total:
412 sq km
land: 412 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
| Area
- comparative: |
slightly more
than two times the size of Washington, DC |
| Maritime
claims: |
exclusive
fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 3 NM |
| Terrain: |
Heard Island -
bleak and mountainous, with a quiescent volcano; McDonald
Islands - small and rocky |
| Elevation
extremes: |
lowest point:
Southern Ocean 0 m
highest point: Big Ben 2,745 m |
| Land
use: |
arable land:
0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% |
| Irrigated
land: |
0 sq km (1993) |
| Natural
hazards: |
Heard Island is
dominated by a dormant volcano called Big Ben |
| Environment
- current issues: |
NA |
| Geography
- note: |
primarily used
for research stations |
| Population: |
uninhabited (July
2001 est.) |
| Country
name: |
conventional
long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald
Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and
McDonald Islands |
| Dependency
status: |
territory of
Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of
the Environment, Sport, and Territories |
| Legal
system: |
the laws of
Australia, where applicable, apply |
| Diplomatic
representation in the US: |
none (territory
of Australia) |
| Diplomatic
representation from the US: |
none (territory
of Australia) |
| Flag
description: |
the flag of
Australia is used |
| Economy
- overview: |
no economic
activity |
| Internet
country code: |
.hm |
| Ports
and harbors: |
none; offshore
anchorage only |
| Military
- note: |
defense is the
responsibility of Australia |
| Disputes
- international: |
none |
|
