This page was last updated on 18 December 2008

Legend: Definition Field Listing Rank Order

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. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, became a marine reserve in 2000.

Location:	Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island
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:	territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
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% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005)
Irrigated land:	0 sq km
Natural hazards:	surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Environment - current issues:	illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems
Geography - note:	Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only

Country name:	conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Dependency status:	territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Attorney-General's Department
Legal system:	the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and 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

Economy - overview:

no economic activity

Ports and terminals:

none; offshore anchorage only

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force

Disputes - international:

as the closest Australian territory to Indonesia, these islands became the target of human traffickers for the landing of illegal immigrants; in 2001, the Australian government removed these islands from the Australian Migration Zone making illegal arrivals ineligible for temporary visas and entry into Australia

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008