heard island and mcdonald islands

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Introduction

   Background:  These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were
                transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated
                by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands
                have been designated a nature preserve.

Geography

     Location:  islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the
                way from Madagascar to Antarctica

    Geographic  53 06 S, 72 31 E
  coordinates:

           Map  Antarctic Region
   references:

         Area:  total: 412 sq km
                land: 412 sq km
                water: 0 sq km

        Area -  slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
  comparative:

          Land  0 km
   boundaries:

    Coastline:  101.9 km

      Maritime  territorial sea: 12 nm
       claims:  exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

      Climate:  antarctic

      Terrain:  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

     Elevation  lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
     extremes:  highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m

       Natural  fish
    resources:

     Land use:  arable land: 0%
                permanent crops: 0%
                other: 100% (2005)

     Irrigated  0 sq km
         land:

       Natural  Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island
      hazards:

 Environment -  NA
       current
       issues:

People

   Population:  uninhabited (July 2006 est.)

Government

 Country name:  conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and
                McDonald Islands
                conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald
                Islands

    Dependency  territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by
       status:  the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of
                the Environment and Heritage

 Legal system:  the laws 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 indigenous economic activity, but the Australian
     overview:  Government allows limited fishing around the islands.

Communications

      Internet  .hm
 country code:

Transportation

     Ports and  none; offshore anchorage only
    terminals:

Military

    Military -  defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia
         note:  conducts fisheries patrols

Transnational
Issues

    Disputes -  none
international: