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Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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Background:
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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. |
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Location: |
islands in the Indian Ocean, about
two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica |
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Geographic
coordinates: |
53 06 S, 72 31 E |
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Area: |
total:
412 sq km
land: 412 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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101.9 km |
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea:
12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
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Climate:
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Antarctic |
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Terrain:
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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
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish |
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Land use:
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arable land:
0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km |
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Natural hazards:
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Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on
Heard Island |
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Population:
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uninhabited (July 2006 est.)
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Country name:
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conventional long form:
Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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Dependency lstatus:
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territory of Australia; administered
from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department
of the Environment and Heritage |
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Legal system:
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the laws of Australia, where
applicable, apply |
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Flag description:
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the flag of Australia is used
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Economy - overview:
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No indigenous economic activity, but
the Australian Government allows limited fishing around the islands.
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Ports and terminals:
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none; offshore
anchorage only |
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Military - note:
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defence is the
responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols
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Disputes -
international:
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none |
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