2003 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2003 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Area
- land
- 412 sq km
- total
- 412 sq km
- water
- 0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
Background
These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic 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. Geography Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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 Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Disputes - international
none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
Economy - overview
No indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing around the islands. Communications Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Elevation extremes
- highest point
- Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m
- lowest point
- Indian Ocean 0 m
Environment - current issues
NA People Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Flag description
the flag of Australia is used Economy Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Geographic coordinates
53 06 S, 72 31 E
Internet country code
.hm Transportation Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- arable land
- 0%
- other
- 100% (1998 est.)
- permanent crops
- 0%
Legal system
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Location
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
- 12 NM
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols Transnational Issues Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Natural hazards
Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island
Natural resources
fish
Population
uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Government Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only Military Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Terrain
Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky
Waterways
none