SELECT EDITION
CATEGORIES
◆ ECONOMY(1 fields)
Economy - overview
no economic activity
◆ GEOGRAPHY(17 fields)
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
Climate
tropical
Coastline
74.1 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Environment - current issues
illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems
Geographic coordinates
12 14 S, 123 05 E
Geography - note
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005)
Location
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island
Map references
Southeast Asia
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
Natural hazards
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Natural resources
fish
Terrain
low with sand and coral
◆ GOVERNMENT(6 fields)
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
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used
Legal system
the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
◆ INTRODUCTION(1 fields)
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.
◆ MILITARY(1 fields)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
◆ PEOPLE(1 fields)
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
◆ TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES(1 fields)
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
◆ TRANSPORTATION(1 fields)
Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only