SELECT EDITION
CATEGORIES
◆ COMMUNICATIONS(1 fields)
Ports
none; offshore anchorage only
◆ DEFENSE FORCES(1 fields)
Note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
◆ ECONOMY(1 fields)
Overview
no economic activity
◆ GEOGRAPHY(10 fields)
Climate
tropical
Coastline
74.1 km Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploration; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm
Comparative area
about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Environment
surrounded by shoals and reefs; Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
Land boundaries
none
Land use
arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other--grass and sand 100%
Natural resources
fish
Note
located in extreme eastern Indian Ocean between Australia and Indonesia 320 km off the northwest coast of Australia
Terrain
low with sand and coral
Total area
5 km2; land area: 5 km2; includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
◆ GOVERNMENT(6 fields)
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation
none (territory of Australia)
Legal system
relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia
Long-form name
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Note
administered by the Australian Minister for Arts, Sports, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories Roslyn KELLY
Type
territory of Australia administered by the Australian Ministry for Territories and Local Government
◆ PEOPLE(1 fields)
Population
no permanent inhabitants; seasonal caretakers