2009 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2009 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
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
Area
total: 412 sq km country comparison to the world: 201 land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
antarctic
Coastline
101.9 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Geographic coordinates
53 06 S, 72 31 E
Geography - note
Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, the most recent being in 2005
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)
Location
islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica
Map references
Antarctic Region
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island
Natural resources
fish
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
People and Society
Population
uninhabited
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands abbreviation: HIMI
Dependency status
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
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
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Economy
Economy - overview
The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters.
Communications
Internet country code
.hm
Transportation
Ports and terminals
none; offshore anchorage only
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none page last updated on September 14, 2009