|
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
|
| Introduction |
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
|
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. |
| Geography |
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
|
Location:
|
Southern Africa, 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
water: 0 sq km
land: 412 sq km
|
|
Area - comparative:
|
slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
|
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km
|
|
Coastline:
|
101.9 km
|
|
Maritime claims:
|
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 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: Southern Ocean 0 m
highest point: Big Ben 2,745 m
|
|
Natural resources:
|
fish
|
|
Land use:
|
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (1998 est.)
|
|
Irrigated land:
|
0 sq km (1998 est.)
|
|
Natural hazards:
|
Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island
|
|
Environment - current issues:
|
NA
|
| People |
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
|
Population:
|
uninhabited (July 2002 est.)
|
| Government |
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
|
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.
|
| Communications |
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
|
Internet country code:
|
.hm
|
| Transportation |
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
|
Waterways:
|
none
|
|
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
|
| Transnational Issues |
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
|
Disputes - international:
|
none
|
|
