Ashmore and Cartier Islands   Click to enlarge	Introduction   Geography   People   Government   Economy   Communications   Transportation   Military   Transnational Issues
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Legend: Definition of Term Arranged by Countries Field Listing    Introduction    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page Background: 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.    Geography    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page Location: Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia 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    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh waster at Ashmore Reef's West Island People - note: the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem    Government    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page 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    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page Economy - overview: no economic activity    Communications    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page    Transportation    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only    Military    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force    Transnational Issues    Ashmore and Cartier Islands Top of Page

Source:
The World Factbook 2002
Updated: 19 March 2003