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| Ashmore and Cartier Islands Main Page · World Factbook Main Page |
INTRODUCTION
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. |
GEOGRAPHY
Location: | |
| Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island | |
Geographic Coordinates: | |
| 12 14 S, 123 05 E | |
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 (Rank: 172) | |
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 | |
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) (2005) | |
Irrigated Land: | |
| 0 sq km | |
Natural Hazards: | |
| Surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards | |
Environment - Current Issues: | |
| Illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems | |
Geography - Note: | |
| Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000 | |
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 | |
Country Name: | |
| Conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands Conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands | |
Dependency Status: | |
| Territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government | |
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 | |
Affiliation: | |
| (territory of Australia) | |
Economy - Overview: | |
| No economic activity | |
Ports and Terminals: | |
| None; offshore anchorage only | |
Military - Note: | |
| Defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force | |
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 | |
| Ashmore and Cartier Islands Main Page | World Factbook Main Page |
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