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  Ashmore and Cartier Islands
(territory of Australia)
 
Flag of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
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 Geography
 People
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This page was last updated on 18 December 2008


Map of Ashmore and Cartier Islands



Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
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 Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
12 14 S, 123 05 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Southeast Asia
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 5 sq km
land: 5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
0 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
74.1 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
tropical
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
low with sand and coral
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
fish
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000
   People    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
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 Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Dependency status:
Definition Field Listing
territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Attorney-General's Department
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
the flag of Australia is used
   Economy    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
no economic activity

   Transportation    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field Listing
none; offshore anchorage only
   Military    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page
Military - note:
Definition Field Listing
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
   Transnational Issues    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
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

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008


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