ARCHIVE // AU // 2016

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

2016 Edition — territory

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Economy
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
no economic activity
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 5 sq km | land: 5 sq km | water: 0 sq km | note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island | country comparison to the world: 250
Area - comparative [time series]
about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
tropical
Coastline [time series]
74.1 km
Elevation [time series]
mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m | highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems
Geographic coordinates [time series]
12 14 S, 123 05 E
Geography - note [time series]
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 0% | forest: 0% | other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2011 est.)
Location [time series]
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island
Map references [time series]
Southeast Asia
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm | contiguous zone: 12 nm | exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm | continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Natural hazards [time series]
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Natural resources [time series]
fish
Terrain [time series]
low with sand and coral
Government
Citizenship [time series]
see Australia
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands | conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands | etymology: named after British Captain Samuel ASHMORE, who first sighted his namesake island in 1811, and after the ship Cartier, from which the second island was discovered in 1800
Dependency status [time series]
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
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 the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Introduction
Background [time series]
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.
Military and Security
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
People and Society
Population [time series]
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
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef
Transportation
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
none; offshore anchorage only