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ashmore & cartier Islands

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Introduction: ASHMORE AND CARTIER ISLANDS

These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve.

GEOGRAPHY
Country name:	conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Capital:
Location:	Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between north-western Australia and Timor island
Geographic Coordinates:	12 14 S, 123 05 E
Area:	total: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
Area Comparative:	about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land Boundaries:	0 km
Coastline:	74.1 km
Maritime Claims:	territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:	tropical
Terrain:
Elavation Extremes:	lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural Resources:	fish
GOVERNEMENT
Governement Type:
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Independence
National Holiday:
Constitution:
Legal System;	the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Suffrage
Executive Branch:	territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Legislative Branch:
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PEOPLE
Population:	no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2004 est.)
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COMUNICATIONS
Telephones - main lines in use:	NA
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TRANSPORT
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Ports and harbors:	none; offshore anchorage only
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