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Antarctica :: Heard Island and McDonald Islands (territory of Australia)

- ## Introduction :: HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS

- Background:
  The UK transferred these uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve.

- ## Geography :: HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS

- Location:
  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
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Area - comparative:
  slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  101.9 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  antarctic
  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
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Mawson Peak on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m
  Natural resources:
  fish
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 0%
  arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0%
  forest: 0%
  other: 100% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  0 sq km (2011)
  Natural hazards:
  Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island
  Environment - current issues:
  NA
  Geography - note:
  Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, most recently in 2005

- ## People and Society :: HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS

- Population:
  uninhabited

- ## Government :: HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS

- 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 Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Australian Antarctic Division)
  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

- ## Economy :: HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS

- Economy - overview:
  The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. Visits to Heard Island typically focus on terrestrial and marine research and infrequent private expeditions.

- ## Communications :: HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS

- Internet country code:
  .hm

- ## Transportation :: HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS

- Ports and terminals:
  none; offshore anchorage only

- ## Military :: HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS

- Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols

- ## Transnational Issues :: HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS

- Disputes - international:
  none

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