t, Middle, and
East Islets) and Cartier Island water: 0 sq km land: 5 sq km

Area - comparative: about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 74.1 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth
or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive fishing
zone: 200 NM

Climate: tropical

Terrain: low with sand and coral

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point:
unnamed location 3 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass
and sand) (1998 est.)

Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime
hazards

Environment - current issues: NA

Geography - note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in
August 1983

People Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are
allowed access to the lagoon and fresh waster at Ashmore Reef's West
Island

Population growth rate: NA

People - note: the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote
Island has become an ongoing problem

Government Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier
Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered by the Australian
Department of Transport and Regional Services

Legal system: the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws
of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia)

Flag description: the flag of Australia is used

Economy Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Transportation Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Waterways: none

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

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

This page was last updated on 1 January 2002

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Austria

Introduction

Austria

Background: Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian
Empire, A