Ashmore and Cartier Islands Geography
LocationSoutheastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between north-western Australia and Timor island
Geographic coordinates
12 14 S, 123 05 E
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
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 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%
other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2001)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1998 est.)
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
