ARCHIVE // HM // 2016

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

2016 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. Visits to Heard Island typically focus on terrestrial and marine research and infrequent private expeditions.
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 412 sq km | land: 412 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 203
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 [time series]
mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m | highest point: Mawson Peak on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
NA
Geographic coordinates [time series]
53 06 S, 72 31 E
Geography - note [time series]
Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, most recently in 2005
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 0% | arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0% | forest: 0% | other: 100% (2011 est.)
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 | etymology: named after American Captain John HEARD, who sighted the island on 25 November 1853, and American Captain William McDONALD, who discovered the islands on 4 January 1854
Dependency status [time series]
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Australian Antarctic Division)
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]
The UK transferred these uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve.
Military and Security
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols
People and Society
Population [time series]
uninhabited
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
none; offshore anchorage only