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.

Geographic coordinates: 12 14 S, 123 05 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
Rank: 249
Comparative: about eight times the size of the National 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
Note: nm

Climate: tropical

Terrain: low with sand and coral

Elevation
Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Cartier Island 5 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use: 0% (2014 est.)

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

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

Country 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

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

Citizenship: see Australia

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

Flag description: the flag of Australia is used

Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only

Disputes international: Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef