Ashmore and Cartier Islands (AT)

• Introduction
• Geography
• People
• Government
• Economy
• Transportation
• Military
• Transnational Issues

Introduction

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

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
Natural resources	fish
Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005)
Irrigated land	0 sq km
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

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

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

Economy - overview	no economic activity

Transportation

Ports and terminals	none; offshore anchorage only

Military

Military - note	defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force

Transnational Issues

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

This page was last updated on 20 March, 2008