ashmore and cartier islands

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.

Geography

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

    Geographic  12 14 S, 123 05 E
  coordinates:

           Map  Southeast Asia
   references:

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

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

          Land  0 km
   boundaries:

    Coastline:  74.1 km

      Maritime  territorial sea: 12 nm
       claims:  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  lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
     extremes:  highest point: unnamed location 3 m

       Natural  fish
    resources:

     Land use:  arable land: 0%
                permanent crops: 0%
                other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005)

     Irrigated  0 sq km
         land:

       Natural  surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime
      hazards:  hazards

 Environment -  NA
       current
       issues:

   Geography -  Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in
         note:  August 1983

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

Government

 Country name:  conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and
                Cartier Islands
                conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands

    Dependency  territory of Australia; administered by the Australian
       status:  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  none (territory of Australia)
representation
    in the US:

    Diplomatic  none (territory of Australia)
representation
  from the US:

          Flag  the flag of Australia is used
  description:

Economy

     Economy -  no economic activity
     overview:


Transportation

     Ports and  none; offshore anchorage only
    terminals:

Military

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

Transnational
Issues

    Disputes -  Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to
international:  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