These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, became a marine reserve in 2000.
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island
12 14 S, 123 05 E
Southeast Asia
total: 5 sq km
land: 5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
0 km
74.1 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
tropical
low with sand and coral
mean elevation: NA
elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m
fish
agricultural land: 0%
forest: 0%
other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2011 est.)
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000
no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
etymology: named after British Captain Samuel ASHMORE, who first sighted his namesake island in 1811, and after the ship Cartier, from which the second island was discovered in 1800
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
see Australia
none (territory of Australia)
none (territory of Australia)
the flag of Australia is used
no economic activity
none; offshore anchorage only
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef
