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
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 sq km
land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km 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 exclusive fishing zone: 200
nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of
exploitation
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
low with sand and coral
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian
Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
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
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and
fresh water 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
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 Attorney-General's Department
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
Economy - overview:
no economic activity
Transportation
Ashmore and Cartier
Islands
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military
Ashmore and Cartier
Islands
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
Disputes - international:
Indonesian groups challenge
Australia's claim to these islands; Australia closed parts of the Ashmore
and Cartier Reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing and placed
restrictions on certain catches
