Location:
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island
Geographic coordinates:
12 14 S, 123 05 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area: Area - comparative: Land boundaries: Coastline: Maritime claims: Climate: Terrain: Elevation: Natural resources: Land use: Natural hazards: Environment - current issues: Geography - note:
total: 5 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 5 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
country comparison to the world: 251
about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
0 km
74.1 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
territorial sea: 12 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
contiguous zone: 12 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - contiguous zone country ranks ]
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive fishing zone country ranks ]
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
[see also: Maritime claims - continental shelf country ranks ]
tropical
low with sand and coral
mean elevation: NA
[see also: Elevation - mean elevation country ranks ]
elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cartier Island 5 m
fish
agricultural land: 0%
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
forest: 0%
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000