ARCHIVE // HM // 2007

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

2007 Edition — territory

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Communications
Internet country code [time series]
.hm
Economy
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters.
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 412 sq km land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
antarctic
Coastline [time series]
101.9 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
NA
Geographic coordinates [time series]
53 06 S, 72 31 E
Irrigated land [time series]
0 sq km
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)
Location [time series]
islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica
Map references [time series]
Antarctic Region
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island
Natural resources [time series]
fish
Terrain [time series]
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
Government
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands abbreviation: HIMI
Dependency status [time series]
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
none (territory of Australia)
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
the flag of Australia is used
Legal system [time series]
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
Introduction
Background [time series]
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.
Military
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols
People
Population [time series]
uninhabited
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
none; offshore anchorage only