From Free media library
| 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 north-western Australia and Timor island
|
| Geographic coordinates:
| 12 14 S, 123 05 E
|
| Map references:
| Southeast Asia
|
| Area:
| total: 5 sq km
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
water: 0 sq km
land: 5 sq km
|
| 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
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) (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 2004 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
|
This page was last updated on 1 January 2003
This is a snapshot of the CIA World Fact Book as it existed on 26 March 2005
