Statistical information Ashmore and Cartier Islands 2025

Ashmore and Cartier Islands in the World

Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Introduction 2025

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Background: 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, Cartier Island was used as 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 claim 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 to be outside the Australian migration zone.

Ashmore and Cartier Islands - Geography 2025

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Location

Geographic coordinates

Map reference

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, D.C.

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

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 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000

Ashmore and Cartier Islands - People 2025

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Population
Total: no permanent 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

Languages

Religions

Demographic profile

Age structure