2001 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2001 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Area
total: 412 sq km land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
Background
These uninhabited, barren islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve. Heard Island and McDonald Islands Geography
Climate
antarctic
Coastline
101.9 km
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Dependency status
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the 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)
Disputes - international
none
Economy - overview
no economic activity Heard Island and McDonald Islands Communications
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Southern Ocean 0 m highest point: Big Ben 2,745 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used Heard Island and McDonald Islands Economy
Geographic coordinates
53 06 S, 72 31 E
Geography - note
primarily used for research stations Heard Island and McDonald Islands People
Internet country code
.hm Heard Island and McDonald Islands Transportation
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%
Legal system
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Location
Southern Africa, islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica
Map references
Antarctic Region
Maritime claims
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia Heard Island and McDonald Islands Transnational Issues
Natural hazards
Heard Island is dominated by a dormant volcano called Big Ben
Natural resources
none
Population
uninhabited (July 2001 est.) Heard Island and McDonald Islands Government
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only Heard Island and McDonald Islands Military
Terrain
Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with a quiescent volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rocky
Waterways
none