1994 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1994 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Administrative divisions
none (territory of Australia)
Affiliation
(territory of Australia)
Area
total area: 5 sq km land area: 5 sq km comparative area: about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
Capital
none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Climate
tropical
Coastline
74.1 km
Digraph
AT
Diplomatic representation in US
none (territory of Australia)
Environment
current issues: NA natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs international agreements: NA
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand)
Legal system
relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia
Location
Southeastern Asia, in the Indian Ocean, 320 km off the northwest coast of Australia, between Australia and Indonesia
Map references
Oceania, Southeast Asia
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploration exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Names
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Natural resources
fish
Note
- Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
- defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Overview
no economic activity
Population
no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are only seasonal caretakers
Ports
none; offshore anchorage only
Terrain
low with sand and coral
Type
territory of Australia administered by the Australian Ministry for the Environment, Sport, and Territories
US diplomatic representation
none (territory of Australia)