Ashmore and Cartier Islands
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Ashmore and Cartier Islands Geography 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 land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island AreaŃcomparative: 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 exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 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% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards EnvironmentŃcurrent issues: NA EnvironmentŃinternational agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA GeographyŃnote: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 People Population: note: there are only seasonal caretakers Government Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands Data code: AT Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories Legal system: relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia 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 EconomyŃoverview: no economic activity Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military MilitaryŃnote: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Transnational Issues DisputesŃinternational: none