1992 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1992 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Climate
tropical
Coastline
74.1 km
Comparative area
about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Contiguous zone
12 nm
Continental shelf
200 m (depth) or to depth of exploration
Disputes
none
Environment
surrounded by shoals and reefs; Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
Exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Land area
5 km2; includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
Land boundaries
none
Land use
arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other - grass and sand 100%
Natural resources
fish
Note
located in extreme eastern Indian Ocean between Australia and Indonesia, 320 km off the northwest coast of Australia
Terrain
low with sand and coral
Territorial sea
3 nm
Total area
5 km2
People and Society
Population
no permanent inhabitants; seasonal caretakers
Government
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Capital
none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Diplomatic representation
none (territory of Australia)
Legal system
relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia
Long-form name
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Type
territory of Australia administered by the Australian Minister for Arts, Sports, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories - Roslyn KELLY
Economy
Overview
no economic activity
Communications
Ports
none; offshore anchorage only
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force