| Ashmore and Cartier Islands (territory of Australia) |
Introduction Geography People Government Economy Transportation Military Transnational Issues

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