1999 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1999 (Internet Archive)
Geography
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
Climate
tropical
Coastline
74.1 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Environment--current issues
NA
Environment--international agreements
party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geographic coordinates
12 14 S, 123 05 E
Geography--note
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1993)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand)
Location
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia
Map references
Southeast Asia
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Natural hazards
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Natural resources
fish
Terrain
low with sand and coral
People and Society
Population
no indigenous inhabitants note: there are only seasonal caretakers
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Data code
AT
Dependency status
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used
Legal system
relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia)
Economy
Economy--overview
no economic activity
Military and Security
Military--note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international
none