Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

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
country comparison to the world: 202 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 volcano 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

Geography – note

Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island

in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting

it has erupted several times since, the most recent being in 2005

People and Society

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 Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

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.

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

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