Country:  Ashmore and Cartier Islands
(territory of Australia)
- 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