SELECT EDITION
CATEGORIES
◆ ECONOMY(1 fields)
Economic overview
no economic activity
◆ GEOGRAPHY(16 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 National Mall in Washington, DC
Climate
tropical
Coastline
74.1 km
Elevation
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m | highest point: Cartier Island 5 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; sea level rise, changes in sea temperature, and ocean acidification are concerns; marine debris
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
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
0% (2014 est.)
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 | continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation | exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Natural resources
fish
Terrain
low with sand and coral
◆ GOVERNMENT(7 fields)
Citizenship
see Australia
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands | conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands | etymology: named after British Captain Samuel ASHMORE, who first sighted his namesake island in 1811, and after the ship Cartier, from which the second island was discovered in 1800
Dependency status
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
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 AND SECURITY(1 fields)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
◆ PEOPLE AND SOCIETY(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
Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef
◆ TRANSPORTATION(1 fields)
Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only