Background: The UK transferred these uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve.

Geographic coordinates: 53 06 S, 72 31 E

Map reference: Antarctic Region

Area
Total: 412 km²
Land: 412 km²
Water: 0 km²
Rank: 202
Comparative: slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 101.9 km

Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive fishing zone: 200
Note: nm

Climate: antarctic

Terrain: Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky

Elevation
Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Mawson Peak on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use
Agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
Forest: 0% (2011 est.)
Other: 100% (2011 est.)

Natural hazards: Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island

Geography
Note: Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, most recently in 2005

Population
Note: uninhabited

Environment
Current issues: none; uninhabited and mostly ice covered

Country name
Conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Abbreviation: HIMI
Etymology: named after American Captain John HEARD, who sighted the island on 25 November 1853, and American Captain William McDONALD, who discovered the islands on 4 January 1854

Legal system: the laws of Australia apply where applicable

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

Flag description: the flag of Australia is used

Internet
Country code: .hm

Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only

Disputes international: none