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| Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
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| Introduction | Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
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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 |
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Location: |
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between north-western Australia and Timor island |
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Geographic coordinates: |
12 14 S, 123 05 E |
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Map references: |
Southeast Asia |
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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 |
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Area - comparative: |
about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries: |
0 km |
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Coastline: |
74.1 km |
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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 |
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Climate: |
tropical |
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Terrain: |
low with sand and coral |
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Elevation extremes: |
lowest point: Indian
Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m |
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Natural resources: |
fish |
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Land use: |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2001) |
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Irrigated land: |
0 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards: |
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards |
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Environment - current issues: |
NA |
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Geography - note: |
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 |
| People | Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
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Population: |
no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2004 est.) |
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People - note: |
the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem |
| Government | Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
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Country name: |
conventional long form:
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
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Dependency status: |
territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services |
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Legal system: |
the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply |
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Diplomatic representation in the US: |
none (territory of Australia) |
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Diplomatic representation from the US: |
none (territory of Australia) |
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Flag description: |
the flag of Australia is used |
| Economy | Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
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Economy - overview: |
no economic activity |
| Transportation | Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
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Ports and harbors: |
none; offshore anchorage only |
| Military | Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
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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 |
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Disputes - international: |
Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia has closed the surrounding waters to Indonesian traditional fishing and has created a national park in the region while continuing to prospect for hydrocarbons in the vicinity |
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