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 m (depth) 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: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and
pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other--grass and sand 100%

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 Roslyn KELLY

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



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