 | Ashmore and Cartier IslandsTerritory of Australia |
Geography 
Economy 
Defense Forces
People 
Transportation 
Government
Communications 
History 
Travel
GEOGRAPHY
Location
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia
Area
- Total area: 5 sq km
- Land area: 5 sq km
- Comparative area: about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Note: Includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
Land Boundaries
0 km
Coastline
74.1 km
Maritime Claims
- Contiguous zone: 12 nm
- Continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
- Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
- Territorial sea: 3 nm
International Disputes
None
Climate
Tropical
Terrain
Low with sand and coral
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: 3 m
Natural Resources
Land Use
- Arable land: 0%
- Permanent crops: 0%
- Meadows and pastures: 0%
- Forest and woodland: 0%
- Other: 100% (all grass and sand)
Irrigated Land
0 sq km
Environment
- Current issues: NA
- Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs which can pose maritime hazards
- International agreements: NA
Note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
PEOPLE
Population
No indigenous inhabitants; note - there are only seasonal caretakers
GOVERNMENT
Names
- Conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
- Conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Digraph
AT
Type
Territory of Australia administered by the Australian Ministry for the Environment, Sport, and Territories
Capital
None; administered from Canberra, Australia
Administrative Divisions
None (territory of Australia)
Independence
None (territory of Australia)
Legal System
Relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia
The flag of Australia is used
ECONOMY
Overview
No economic activity
TRANSPORTATION
Ports
None; offshore anchorage only
DEFENSE FORCES
Note: Defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
History
World Atlas
last updated 25 september 1997
