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Heard 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. |
| Geography | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
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Location:
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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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Map references:
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Antarctic Region |
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Area:
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total: 412 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 412 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC |
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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 - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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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% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
| People | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
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Population:
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uninhabited (July 2004 est.) |
| Government | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
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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 status:
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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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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (territory of Australia) |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (territory of Australia) |
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Flag description:
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the flag of Australia is used |
| Economy | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
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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 |
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Internet country code:
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.hm |
| Transportation | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
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Waterways:
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none |
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Ports and harbors:
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none; offshore anchorage only |
| Military | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
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Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols |
| Transnational Issues | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
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Disputes - international:
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none |