Communications

Ports [time series]

none; offshore anchorage only

Defense Forces

Note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force

Economy

Economic overview (Overview) [time series]

no economic activity

Geography

Climate [time series]

tropical

Coastline [time series]

74.1 km Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploration; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm

Area - comparative (Comparative area) [time series]

about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

surrounded by shoals and reefs; Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983

Land boundaries [time series]

none

Land use [time series]

arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other--grass and sand 100%

Natural resources [time series]

fish

Note [time series]

located in extreme eastern Indian Ocean between Australia and Indonesia 320 km off the northwest coast of Australia

Terrain [time series]

low with sand and coral

Area (Total area) [time series]

5 km2; land area: 5 km2; includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation) [time series]

none (territory of Australia)

Legal system [time series]

relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia

Country name (Long-form name) [time series]

Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Note [time series]

administered by the Australian Minister for Arts, Sports, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories Roslyn KELLY

Government type (Type) [time series]

territory of Australia administered by the Australian Ministry for Territories and Local Government

People

Population [time series]

no permanent inhabitants; seasonal caretakers