The World Factbook | ||
Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
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Introduction | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
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. |
Geography | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
Location:
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islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica |
Geographic coordinates:
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53 06 S, 72 31 E |
Map references:
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Antarctic Region |
Area:
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total: 412 sq km
land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative:
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slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC |
Land boundaries:
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0 km |
Coastline:
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101.9 km |
Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
Climate:
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antarctic |
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 |
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m |
Natural resources:
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fish |
Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
Irrigated land:
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0 sq km |
Natural hazards:
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Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island |
Environment - current issues:
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NA |
People | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
Population:
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uninhabited (July 2006 est.) |
Government | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
Country name:
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conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
Dependency status:
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territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage |
Legal system:
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the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (territory of Australia) |
Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (territory of Australia) |
Flag description:
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the flag of Australia is used |
Economy | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
Economy - overview:
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No indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing around the islands. |
Communications | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
Internet country code:
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.hm |
Transportation | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
Ports and terminals:
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none; offshore anchorage only |
Military | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols |
Transnational Issues | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
Disputes - international:
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none |
This page was last updated on 19 September, 2006 |