Introduction

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.`

Geography

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: |  |
`Oceania`
Area: |  |
`total: 5 sq km country comparison to the world: 246 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`

People

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`

Government

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 Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government`
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

Economy - overview: |  |
`no economic activity`

Transportation

Ports and terminals: |  |
`none; offshore anchorage only`

Military

Military - note: |  |
`defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 25, 2011