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| Introduction | Ashmore and Cartier Islands | |
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, is now a marine reserve. |
| Geography | Ashmore and Cartier Islands | |
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: | Southeast Asia |
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 |
Land boundaries: | 0 km |
Coastline: | 74.1 km |
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 |
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) (2001) |
Irrigated land: | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Natural hazards: | surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards |
Environment - current issues: | NA |
Geography - note: | Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 |
| People | Ashmore and Cartier Islands | |
Population: | no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2005 est.) |
People - note: | the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem |
| Government | Ashmore and Cartier Islands | |
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 Department of Transport and Regional Services |
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 | Ashmore and Cartier Islands | |
Economy - overview: | no economic activity |
| Transportation | Ashmore and Cartier Islands | |
Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only |
| Military | Ashmore and Cartier Islands | |
Military - note: | defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force |
| Transnational Issues | Ashmore and Cartier Islands | |
Disputes - international: | Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia closed the surrounding waters to Indonesian traditional fishing and created a national park in the region while continuing to prospect for hydrocarbons in the vicinity |
| This page was last updated on 9 August, 2005 | -.-.- |
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