INTRODUCTION:
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.
AREA:
total: 5 sq km
country comparison to the world: 246
land: 5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
PEOPLE:
POPULATION:
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
GOVERNMENT:
COUNTRY NAME:
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands.
FLAG DESCRIPTION:
the flag of Australia is used.
ECONOMY:
ECONOMY OVERVIEW:
no economic activity.
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.
AREA:
total: 5 sq km
country comparison to the world: 246
land: 5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
PEOPLE:
POPULATION:
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
GOVERNMENT:
COUNTRY NAME:
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands.
FLAG DESCRIPTION:
the flag of Australia is used.
ECONOMY:
ECONOMY OVERVIEW:
no economic activity.