| 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 |
| 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 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 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 |
| 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 |
| Ashmore and Cartier Islands (territory of Australia) |
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