| Free Flag Facts | ||
| Cilck here - Animated
Flag |
Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
|
|
| Introduction | Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
|
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 | Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
|
Location:
|
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia, south of the Indonesian half of Timor island |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
12 14 S, 123 05 E |
|
Map references:
|
Southeast Asia |
|
Area:
|
total: 5 sq km
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island water: 0 sq km land: 5 sq km |
|
Area - comparative:
|
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 territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive fishing zone: 200 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% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (1998 est.) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
0 sq km (1998 est.) |
|
Natural hazards:
|
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 (July 2003 est.) |
|
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 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 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 |
|
Waterways:
|
none |
|
Ports and harbors:
|
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:
|
nationalist group in Indonesia reportedly seeks to populate reefs to assert claims; Australia has moved to close reefs to Indonesian traditional fishing and to create a national park while prospecting for hydrocarbons in the vicinity |