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(13 fields)
Climate
tropical
Coastline
74.1 km
Comparative area
about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Disputes
none
Environment
surrounded by shoals and reefs; Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
Land area
5 km2; includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
Land boundaries
none
Land use
arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other - grass and sand 100%
Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 12 nm Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploration Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 3 nm
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
◆ GOVERNMENT(6 fields)
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Capital
none; administered from Canberra, 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
Type
territory of Australia administered by the Australian Minister for Arts, Sports, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories - Roslyn KELLY
◆ PEOPLE(1 fields)
Population
no permanent inhabitants; seasonal caretakers