2000 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2000 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
- land
- 5 sq km
- note
- includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
- total
- 5 sq km
- water
- 0 sq km
Area - comparative
about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Climate
tropical
Coastline
74.1 km
Elevation extremes
- highest point
- unnamed location 3 m
- lowest point
- Indian Ocean 0 m
Environment - current issues
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%
- forests and woodland
- 0%
- other
- 100% (all grass and sand)
- permanent crops
- 0%
- permanent pastures
- 0%
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 (July 2000 est.)
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
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used
Legal system
relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia
Economy
Economy - overview
no economic activity
Transportation
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only
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
- ATLANTIC OCEAN