| Heard Island and McDonald Islands (territory of Australia) |
Introduction Geography People Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Heard Island and McDonald Islands | Introduction | Top of Page

Background: | These uninhabited, barren 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.

Heard Island and McDonald Islands | Geography | Top of Page

Location: | Southern Africa, islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica

Geographic coordinates: | 53 06 S, 72 31 E

Map references: | Antarctic Region

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

Land boundaries: | 0 km

Coastline: | 101.9 km

Maritime claims: | exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM

Climate: | antarctic

Terrain: | Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with a quiescent volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rocky

Elevation extremes: | lowest point: Southern Ocean 0 m highest point: Big Ben 2,745 m

Natural resources: | none

Land use: | arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100%

Irrigated land: | 0 sq km (1993)

Natural hazards: | Heard Island is dominated by a dormant volcano called Big Ben

Environment - current issues: | NA

Geography - note: | primarily used for research stations

Heard Island and McDonald Islands | People | Top of Page

Population: | uninhabited (July 2001 est.)

Heard Island and McDonald Islands | Government | Top of Page

Country name: | conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Dependency status: | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories

Legal system: | the laws 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

Heard Island and McDonald Islands | Economy | Top of Page

Economy - overview: | no economic activity

Heard Island and McDonald Islands | Communications | Top of Page

Internet country code: | .hm

Heard Island and McDonald Islands | Transportation | Top of Page

Waterways: | none

Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only

Heard Island and McDonald Islands | Military | Top of Page

Military - note: | defense is the responsibility of Australia

Heard Island and McDonald Islands | Transnational Issues | Top of Page

Disputes - international: | none