SELECT EDITION
CATEGORIES
◆ ECONOMY(1 fields)
Economy - overview
no economic activity
◆ GEOGRAPHY(17 fields)
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
Climate
tropical
Coastline
74.1 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Geographic coordinates
12 14 S, 123 05 E
Geography - note
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1993)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand)
Location
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia
Map references
Southeast Asia
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
Natural hazards
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Natural resources
fish
Terrain
low with sand and coral
◆ GOVERNMENT(6 fields)
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
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used
Legal system
the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
◆ INTRODUCTION(1 fields)
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.
◆ MILITARY(1 fields)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
◆ PEOPLE(1 fields)
Population
no indigenous inhabitants note: there are only seasonal caretakers (July 2001 est.)
◆ TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES(1 fields)
Disputes - international
none
◆ TRANSPORTATION(2 fields)
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only
Waterways
none