Ashmore and Cartier Islands
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, is now a marine reserve.
Ashmore and Cartier Islands Geography - See a Map
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia, south of the Indonesian half of Timor island
Geographic coordinates: 12 14 S, 123 05 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 5 sq km, note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island, water: 0 sq km, land: 5 sq km
Area - comparative: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 74.1 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 NM, continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation, territorial sea: 12 NM, exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low with sand and coral
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m, highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0%, permanent crops: 0%, other: 100% (all grass and sand) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
People of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Population: no indigenous inhabitants, note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2003 est.)
People - note: the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem
Government of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands, conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Legal system: the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia)
Flag description: the flag of Australia is used
Economy of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Transportation of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
