|
|
|
Background:
|
These
uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were
transferred from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated
by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands
have been designated a nature preserve. |
|
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 extremes:
|
lowest
point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m
|
|
Natural resources:
|
fish |
|
Land use:
|
arable
land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2001) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
0 sq km
|
|
Natural hazards:
|
Mawson
Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island |
|
Environment - current issues:
|
NA |
|
People |
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
|
Population:
|
uninhabited (July 2005 est.) |
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island
and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and
McDonald Islands |
|
Dependency status:
|
territory
of Australia; administered from Canberra by the
Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the
Environment and Heritage |
|
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 |
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
|
Economy - overview:
|
No
indigenous economic activity, but the Australian
Government allows limited fishing around the islands.
|
|
Internet country code:
|
.hm |
|
Ports and harbors:
|
none;
offshore anchorage only |
|
Military |
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
|
Military - note:
|
defense
is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts
fisheries patrols |
|
Disputes - international:
|
none |
|
This page was last updated on
20 October, 2005 |
|
|
| |
|
|
