2003 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2003 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
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
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
Climate
tropical
Coastline
74.1 km
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
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Disputes - international
nationalist group in Indonesia reportedly seeks to populate reefs to assert claims; Australia has moved to close reefs to Indonesian traditional fishing and to create a national park while prospecting for hydrocarbons in the vicinity This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
Economy - overview
no economic activity Transportation Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Elevation extremes
- highest point
- unnamed location 3 m
- lowest point
- Indian Ocean 0 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used Economy Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Geographic coordinates
12 14 S, 123 05 E
Geography - note
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 People Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- arable land
- 0%
- other
- 100% (all grass and sand) (1998 est.)
- permanent crops
- 0%
Legal system
the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Location
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia, south of the Indonesian half of Timor island
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
- 12 NM
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Transnational Issues Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Natural hazards
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Natural resources
fish
People - note
the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem Government 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 2003 est.)
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only Military Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Terrain
low with sand and coral
Waterways
none