Introduction - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
Country | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
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Background | These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve. |
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Location - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
Location | islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica |
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Geographic coordinates | 53 06 S, 72 31 E |
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Map references | Antarctic Region |
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Area | total: 412 sq km
land: 412 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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Area comparative | slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries | 0 km |
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Coastline | 101.9 km |
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Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
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Climate | antarctic |
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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 |
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Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m |
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Natural resources | fish |
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Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005) |
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Irrigated land | 0 sq km |
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Natural hazards | Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island |
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Environment current issues | NA |
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People - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
Population | uninhabited |
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Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage |
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Government - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
Country name | conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
abbreviation: HIMI |
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Legal system | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
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Diplomatic representation in the us | none (territory of Australia) |
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Diplomatic representation from the us | none (territory of Australia) |
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Flag description | the flag of Australia is used |
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Economy - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
Economy overview | The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. |
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Communications - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
Internet country code | .hm |
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Transportation - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
Ports and terminals | none; offshore anchorage only |
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Military - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
Military note | defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols |
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This page was last updated on 16 September, 2007