Map of Ashmore and Cartier Islands | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year: Guide1989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025 | More stats

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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 became a marine reserve in 2000.


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Location: Southeastern Asia islands in the Indian Ocean midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island

Geographic coordinates: 12 14 S 123 05 E

Map reference: Oceania

Area
Total: 5 km²
Rank: 246
Land: 5 km²
Water: 0 km²
Note: includes Ashmore Reef (West Middle and East Islets) and Cartier Island
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
Extremes 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 km²

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards

Geography
Note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000


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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; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only

Nationality

Ethnic groups

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Religions

Demographic profile

Age structure

Dependency ratios

Median age

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Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels are ongoing problems

Air pollutants

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Children under the age of 5 years underweight

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School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment


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Country name
Conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Government type

Capital

Administrative divisions

Dependent areas

Independence

National holiday

Constitution

Legal system: the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia where applicable apply

International law organization participation

Citizenship

Suffrage

Executive branch

Legislative branch

Judicial branch

Political parties and leaders

International organization participation

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (territory of Australia)
From the us: none (territory of Australia)

Flag description: the flag of Australia is used

National symbols

National anthem

National heritage


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Economy overview: no economic activity

Real gdp purchasing power parity

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Electricity

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Telephones

Telephone system

Broadcast media

Internet

Broadband fixed subscriptions


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Military expenditures

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation

Space program

Terrorist groups


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National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

Heliports

Pipelines

Railways

Roadways

Waterways

Merchant marine

Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only


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Disputes international: as the closest Australian territory to Indonesia these islands became the target of human traffickers for the landing of illegal immigrants; in 2001 the Australian government removed these islands from the Australian Migration Zone making illegal arrivals ineligible for temporary visas and entry into Australia

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs