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Ashmore and Cartier Islands
(territory of Australia)

   Introduction   Geography   People   Government   Economy   Communications   Transportation   Military   Transnational Issues  
 
Ashmore and Cartier Islands    Introduction Top of Page
Background: 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. Recent geological explorations have indicated promising petroleum formations.
Ashmore and Cartier Islands    Geography Top of Page
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 12 14 S, 123 05 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: 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: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 74.1 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone:  12 NM

continental shelf:  200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone:  200 NM

territorial sea:  3 NM
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low with sand and coral
Elevation extremes: lowest point:  Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point:  unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land:  0%

permanent crops:  0%

permanent pastures:  0%

forests and woodland:  0%

other:  100% (all grass and sand)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
Ashmore and Cartier Islands    People Top of Page
Population: no indigenous inhabitants

note:  there are only seasonal caretakers (July 2001 est.)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands    Government Top of Page
Country name: conventional long form:  Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands

conventional short form:  Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories
Legal system: the laws of the Northern Territory 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
Ashmore and Cartier Islands    Economy Top of Page
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Ashmore and Cartier Islands    Transportation Top of Page
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Ashmore and Cartier Islands    Military Top of Page
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Ashmore and Cartier Islands    Transnational Issues Top of Page
Disputes - international: none

 

Source of Information: CIA - The World Factbook 2001