Short facts about the geography of Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Location:

Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia

Geographic coordinates:

12 14 S, 123 05 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total:  5 sq km land:  5 sq km water:  0 sq km note:  includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island

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 exclusive fishing zone:  200 NM territorial sea:  3 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% permanent pastures:  0% forests and woodland:  0% other:  100% (all grass and sand)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1993)

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

Source: World Factbook