ASHMORE AND CARTIER ISLANDS (territory of Australia) GEOGRAPHY Total area: 5 km2; land area: 5 km2; includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island Comparative area: about 8.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 74.1 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploration; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: tropical Terrain: low with sand and coral Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other--grass and sand 100% Environment: surrounded by shoals and reefs; Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 Note: located in extreme eastern Indian Ocean between Australia and Indonesia 320 km off the northwest coast of Australia PEOPLE Population: no permanent inhabitants; seasonal caretakers GOVERNMENT Long-form name: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands Type: territory of Australia administered by the Australian Ministry for Territories and Local Government Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Legal system: relevant laws of the Northern Territory of Australia Note: administered by the Australian Minister for Arts, Sports, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories Roslyn KELLY Diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) ECONOMY Overview: no economic activity COMMUNICATIONS Ports: none; offshore anchorage only DEFENSE FORCES Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force