SELECT EDITION
CATEGORIES
◆ COMMUNICATIONS(1 fields)
Ports
none; offshore anchorage only
◆ DEFENSE FORCES(1 fields)
Note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
◆ ECONOMY(1 fields)
Overview
no economic activity
◆ GEOGRAPHY(14 fields)
Climate
tropical
Coastline
74.1 km
Comparative area
about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Contiguous zone
12 nm;
Continental shelf
200 meters or to depth of exploration;
Environment
surrounded by shoals and reefs; Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
Exclusive fishing zone
200 nm;
Land boundaries
none
Land use
0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other--grass and sand
Natural resources
fish
Note
located in extreme eastern Indian Ocean between Australia and Indonesia 320 km off the northwest coast of Australia
Terrain
low with sand and coral
Territorial sea
3 nm
Total area
5 km2; land area: 5 km2; includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
◆ GOVERNMENT(6 fields)
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation
none (territory of Australia)
Legal system
relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia
Long-form name
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Note
administered by the Australian Minister for Arts, Sports, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories Graham Richardson
Type
territory of Australia administered by the Australian Ministry for Territories and Local Government
◆ PEOPLE(1 fields)
Population
no permanent inhabitants; seasonal caretakers