Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HM)
Introduction
| Background | These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve. |
|---|
Geography
| Location |
islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica
|
|---|
| Geographic coordinates |
53 06 S, 72 31 E
|
|---|
| Map references |
Antarctic Region
|
|---|
| Area |
total: 412 sq km
land: 412 sq km
water: 0 sq km
|
|---|
| Area - comparative |
slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
|
|---|
| Land boundaries |
0 km
|
|---|
| Coastline |
101.9 km
|
|---|
| Maritime claims |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
|
|---|
| Climate |
antarctic
|
|---|
| Terrain |
Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky
|
|---|
| Elevation extremes |
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m
|
|---|
| Natural resources |
fish
|
|---|
| Land use |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
|
|---|
| Irrigated land |
0 sq km
|
|---|
| Natural hazards |
Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island
|
|---|
| Environment - current issues |
NA
|
|---|
People
Government
| Country name |
conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
abbreviation: HIMI
|
|---|
| Dependency status |
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
|
|---|
| Legal system |
the laws 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 |
The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters.
|
|---|
Communications
| Internet country code |
.hm
|
|---|
Transportation
| Ports and terminals |
none; offshore anchorage only
|
|---|
Military
| Military - note |
defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols
|
|---|
Transnational Issues
| Disputes - international |
none
|
|---|
This page was last updated on 20 March, 2008
