| Introduction - Ashmore and Cartier Islands: |
| Country | Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
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| 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, is now a marine reserve. |
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| Location - Ashmore and Cartier Islands: |
| Location | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island |
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| Geographic coordinates | 12 14 S, 123 05 E |
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| Map references | Southeast Asia |
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| Area | total: 5 sq km
land: 5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island |
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| Area comparative | about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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| Land boundaries | 0 km |
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| Coastline | 74.1 km |
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| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
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| Climate | tropical |
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| Terrain | low with sand and coral |
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| Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m |
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| Natural resources | fish |
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| Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005) |
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| Irrigated land | 0 sq km |
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| Natural hazards | surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards |
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| Environment current issues | NA |
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| Geography note | Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 |
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| People - Ashmore and Cartier Islands: |
| Population | no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reefs West Island |
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| Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services |
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| People note | the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesias Rote Island has become an ongoing problem |
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| Government - Ashmore and Cartier Islands: |
| Country name | conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
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| Legal system | the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory 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 - Ashmore and Cartier Islands: |
| Economy overview | no economic activity |
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| Communications - Ashmore and Cartier Islands: |
| Transportation - Ashmore and Cartier Islands: |
| Ports and terminals | none; offshore anchorage only |
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| Military - Ashmore and Cartier Islands: |
| Military note | defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force |
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