ARCHIVE // AU // 1996

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

1996 Edition — territory

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Economy
Economic overview [time series]
no economic activity
Geography
Area [time series]
total area: 5 sq km land area: 5 sq km comparative area: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
Climate [time series]
tropical
Coastline [time series]
74.1 km
Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]
current issues: NA natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards international agreements: NA
Geographic coordinates [time series]
12 14 S, 123 05 E
Geography - note (Geographic note) [time series]
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]
none
Irrigated land [time series]
0 sq km
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand)
Location [time series]
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia
Map references [time series]
Southeast Asia
Maritime claims [time series]
contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Natural resources [time series]
fish
Terrain [time series]
low with sand and coral lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
none (territory of Australia)
Capital [time series]
none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Data code [time series]
AT
Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]
none (territory of Australia)
Flag [time series]
the flag of Australia is used
Independence [time series]
none (territory of Australia)
Legal system [time series]
relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia
Country name (Name of country) [time series]
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Government type (Type of government) [time series]
territory of Australia administered by the Australian Ministry for the Environment, Sport, and Territories
Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]
none (territory of Australia)
People
Population [time series]
no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are only seasonal caretakers
Transportation
Military - note (Defense note) [time series]
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Ports [time series]
none; offshore anchorage only Defense