SELECT EDITION
CATEGORIES
◆ COMMUNICATIONS(1 fields)
Internet country code
.hm
◆ ECONOMY(1 fields)
Economy - overview
No indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing around the islands.
◆ GEOGRAPHY(16 fields)
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
Climate
antarctic
Coastline
101.9 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Geographic coordinates
53 06 S, 72 31 E
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)
Location
islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica
Map references
Antarctic Region
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island
Natural resources
fish
Terrain
Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky
◆ GOVERNMENT(6 fields)
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands abbreviation: HIMI
Dependency status
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage
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 Australia, where applicable, apply
◆ INTRODUCTION(1 fields)
Background
These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic 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.
◆ MILITARY(1 fields)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols
◆ PEOPLE(1 fields)
Population
uninhabited (July 2006 est.)
◆ TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES(1 fields)
Disputes - international
none
◆ TRANSPORTATION(1 fields)
Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only