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. Recent geological explorations have indicated promising petroleum formations.

Area
Total: 5 km²
Land: 5 km²; includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
Comparative: about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 74.1 km

Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 12 nm
Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploration
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 3 nm
Disputes: none

Climate: tropical

Terrain: low with sand and coral

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0%; permanent crops: 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other - grass and sand 100%

Population: no permanent inhabitants; seasonal caretakers
Longform name: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Government type:

Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia

Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)

Legal system: relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia
Diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia)

Economy overview: no economic activity