Ashmore and Cartier Islands

§1. Ashmore and Cartier Islands Introduction

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.

§2. Ashmore and Cartier Islands Geography

Location:
  Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern
  Australia and Timor island

Geographic coordinates:
  12 14 S, 123 05 E

Map references:
  Southeast_Asia

Area:
  total: 5 kmē
  land: 5 kmē
  water: 0 kmē
  note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier
    Island

Area - comparative:
  about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
  0 km

Coastline:
  74.1 km

Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  contiguous zone: 12 nm
  continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
  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) (2005)

Irrigated land:
  0 kmē (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

§3. Ashmore and Cartier Islands People

Population:
  no indigenous inhabitants
  note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water
    at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2006 est.)

People - note:
  the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become
  an ongoing problem

§4. Ashmore and Cartier Islands Government

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

§5. Ashmore and Cartier Islands Economy

Economy - overview:
  no economic activity

§6. Ashmore and Cartier Islands Transportation

Ports and terminals:
  none; offshore anchorage only

§7. Ashmore and Cartier Islands Military

Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal
  Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force

§8. Ashmore and Cartier Islands Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
  Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia
  has closed the surrounding waters to Indonesian traditional fishing and
  created a national park in the region while continuing to prospect for
  hydrocarbons in the vicinity


<Factbook 2006>
