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Ashmore and Cartier Islands (territory of Australia) |
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Introduction
Geography
People
Government
Economy
Transportation
Military
Transnational Issues Print This Frame Airports Hotels
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| 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 |