Introduction

Background

The UK transferred these uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve.


Geography

Location

islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica

Geographic coordinates

53 06 S, 72 31 E

Map references

Antarctic Region

Area

total: 412 sq km
land: 412 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

101.9 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate

antarctic

Terrain

Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky

Elevation

mean elevation: NA
elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m

Natural resources

fish

Land use

agricultural land: 0%
arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0%
forest: 0%
other: 100% (2011 est.)

Natural hazards

Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island

Environment - current issues

NA

Geography - note

Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, most recently in 2005


People and Society

Population

uninhabited


Government

Country name

conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
abbreviation: HIMI
etymology: named after American Captain John HEARD, who sighted the island on 25 November 1853, and American Captain William McDONALD, who discovered the islands on 4 January 1854

Dependency status

territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Australian Antarctic Division)

Legal system

the laws 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

Economy - overview

The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. Visits to Heard Island typically focus on terrestrial and marine research and infrequent private expeditions.


Energy


Communications

Internet country code

.hm


Transportation

Ports and terminals

none; offshore anchorage only


Military

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols


Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

none