INTRODUCTION
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
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
Population: uninhabited
GOVERNMENT
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
Economy - overview: The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters.
COMMUNICATIONS
Internet country code: .hm
TRANSPORTATION
Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only
MILITARY
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols
TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 March, 2008