Statistical information Ashmore and Cartier Islands 2023
Ashmore and Cartier Islands in the World
Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Introduction 2023
top of pageBackground:
Indonesian fishermen have long fished in the area around Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. British explorers were the first Europeans to see Cartier Island and Ashmore Reef in 1800 and 1811, respectively. American whalers frequently sailed by the islands in the 1850s and later settled to mine the phosphate deposits on Ashmore Reef, which were exhausted by 1891. The UK disputed US access to Ashmore Reef and formally annexed it in 1878. Cartier Island was annexed in 1909. In 1931, the UK transferred the islands to Australia, which accepted them in 1934 as part of Western Australia. In 1938, Australia transferred governance to the Northern Territory. During World War II, the islands saw several Allied ship visits and post-war, Cartier Island became a bombing range. In 1978, governance of Ashmore and Cartier Islands was moved to the federal government. Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island became marine reserves in 1983 and 2000 respectively.
In 1974, Australia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow Indonesian fishermen to continue fishing around the islands. The MOU also allows Indonesian fishermen to visit the graves of past fishermen, replenish their fresh water, and shelter in the West Island Lagoon of Ashmore Reef. In the 1990s, Indonesia challenged Australia’s claims to the islands, which was settled in a maritime boundary treaty in 1997. The islands were a popular first point of contact for migrants and refugees seeking to enter Australia, so in 2001, Australia declared the islands outside the Australian migration zone.
In 1974, Australia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow Indonesian fishermen to continue fishing around the islands. The MOU also allows Indonesian fishermen to visit the graves of past fishermen, replenish their fresh water, and shelter in the West Island Lagoon of Ashmore Reef. In the 1990s, Indonesia challenged Australia’s claims to the islands, which was settled in a maritime boundary treaty in 1997. The islands were a popular first point of contact for migrants and refugees seeking to enter Australia, so in 2001, Australia declared the islands outside the Australian migration zone.
Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Geography 2023
top of pageLocation: Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island; Ashmore Reef is 840 km west of Darwin and 610 km north of Broome; Cartier Islet is 70 km east of Ashmore Reef
Geographic coordinates: 12 25 S, 123 20 E
Note:
Ashmore Reef - 12 14 S, 123 05 E
Cartier Islet - 12 32 S, 123 32 E
Cartier Islet - 12 32 S, 123 32 E
Map reference: Southeast Asia
Area
Total: 5 km²
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 National Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries
Total: 0 km
Coastline: 74.1 km
Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Contiguous zone: 24 nm
Continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low with sand and coral
Elevation
Highest point: Cartier Island 5 m
Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use
Land use
Agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
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
Ashmore and Cartier Islands - People 2023
top of pagePopulation: (July 2021 est.) 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
Growth rate: 0.32% (2021 est.)
Nationality
Ethnic groups
Languages
Religions
Demographic profile
Age structure
Age structure
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: NA
Youth dependency ratio: NA
Elderly dependency ratio: NA
Potential support ratio: NA
Median age
Population growth rate: 0.32% (2021 est.)
Birth rate: NA
Death rate: NA
Net migration rate: (2021 est.)
Population distribution
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; sea level rise, changes in sea temperature, and ocean acidification are concerns; marine debris
Air pollutants
Sex ratio
Mothers mean age at first birth
Maternal mortality ratio
Infant mortality rate
Life expectancy at birth
Total fertility rate: (2021 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source
Improved urban: NA
Improved rural: NA
Improved total: NA
Unimproved urban: NA
Unimproved rural: NA
Unimproved total: NA
Current health expenditure: NA
Physicians density
Hospital bed density
Sanitation facility access
Hiv/Aids
Major infectious diseases
Obesity adult prevalence rate
Alcohol consumption
Tobacco use
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA
Literacy
School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Youth unemployment
Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Government 2023
top of pageCountry name
Conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Etymology: named after British Captain Samuel ASHMORE, who first sighted his namesake island in 1811, and after the ship Cartier, from which the second island was discovered in 1800
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: see Australia
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 embassy: none (territory of Australia)
Flag description
: the flag of Australia is usedNational symbols
National anthem
National heritage
Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Economy 2023
top of pageEconomy overview
Real gdp purchasing power parity
Real gdp growth rate
Real gdp per capita
Gross national saving
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end use
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture products
Industries
Industrial production growth rate
Labor force
Labor force
Unemployment rate
Youth unemployment
Population below poverty line
Gini index
Household income or consumption by percentage share
Distribution of family income gini index
Budget
Taxes and other revenues
Public debt
Revenue
Fiscal year
Inflation rate consumer prices
Central bank discount rate
Commercial bank prime lending rate
Stock of narrow money
Stock of broad money
Stock of domestic credit
Market value of publicly traded shares
Current account balance
Exports
Imports
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Debt external
Stock of direct foreign investment at home
Stock of direct foreign investment abroad
Exchange rates
Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Energy 2023
top of pageElectricity
Coal
Petroleum
Crude oil
Refined petroleum
Natural gas
Carbon dioxide emissions
Energy consumption per capita
Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Communication 2023
top of pageTelephones
Telephone system
Broadcast media
Internet
Broadband fixed subscriptions
Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Military 2023
top of pageMilitary expenditures
Military and security forces
Military service age and obligation
Space program
Terrorist groups
Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Transportation 2023
top of pageNational air transport system
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
Airports
Heliports
Pipelines
Railways
Roadways
Waterways
Merchant marine
Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only
Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Transnational issues 2023
top of pageDisputes international: Australia-Indonesia: Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef
Refugees and internally displaced persons
Illicit drugs: NA