| The World Factbook | ||
|
|
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:
|
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
land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km |
|
Area - comparative:
|
slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
|
Coastline:
|
101.9 km |
|
Maritime claims:
|
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 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: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m |
|
Natural resources:
|
fish |
|
Land use:
|
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
0 sq km |
|
Natural hazards:
|
Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island |
|
Environment - current issues:
|
NA |
| People | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
|
Population:
|
uninhabited (July 2006 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 abbreviation: HIMI |
|
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 |
|
Ports and terminals:
|
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 |
|
This page was last updated on 18 January, 2007 |