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, became a marine reserve in 2000.
Geography ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Location:
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island
Geographic coordinates:
12 14 S, 123 05 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 5 sq km
country comparison to the world: 245
land:
5 sq km
water:
0 sq km
note:includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
Area - comparative:
about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
74.1 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:
12 nm
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
continental shelf:
200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
Current Weather
tropical
Terrain:
low with sand and coral
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point:
unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops:
0%
other:
100% (all grass and sand) (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Environment - current issues:
illegal killing of
protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as
fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems
Geography - note:
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000
People ::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; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only
Government ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
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 Government Attorney-General's Department
Legal system:
the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia where applicable apply
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
the flag of Australia is used
Economy ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Economy - overview:
no economic activity
Transportation ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military ::Ashmore and Cartier Islands
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
Disputes - international:
as the closest Australian territory
to Indonesia, these islands became the target of human traffickers for
the landing of illegal immigrants; in 2001, the Australian government
removed these islands from the Australian Migration Zone making illegal
arrivals ineligible for temporary visas and entry into Australia
