The World Factbook (1990)/Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
(territory of Australia)
_Ashmore_and_Cartier_Islands.jpg)
See regional map X
Geography
Total area: 5 km²; land area: 5 km²;
includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and
East Islets) and Cartier Island
Comparative area: 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 meters or to depth of exploration
- Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
- Territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low with sand and coral
Natural resources: fish
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other—grass and sand
Environment: surrounded by shoals and reefs; Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983
Note: located in extreme eastern Indian Ocean between Australia and Indonesia 320 km off the northwest coast of Australia
People
Population: no permanent inhabitants;
seasonal caretakers
Government
Long-form name: Territory of Ashmore
and Cartier Islands
Type: territory of Australia administered by the Australian Ministry for Territories and Local Government
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Legal system: relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia
Note: administered by the Australian Minister for Arts, Sports, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories Graham Richardson
Diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia)
Economy
Overview: no economic activity
Communications
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of
Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian
Navy and Royal Australian Air Force