Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Ashmore and Cartier Islands as the 2016 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 29 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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, became a marine reserve in 2000.
Geography
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island
16 fieldsLand useshare of 5 sq km
Location
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island
Environment - current issues
illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems
Geography - note
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000
People and Society
1 fieldPopulation
no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only
Government
7 fieldsCountry name
- conventional long form:
- Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
- conventional short form:
- Ashmore and Cartier Islands
- etymology:
- named after British Captain Samuel ASHMORE, who first sighted his namesake island in 1811, and after the ship Cartier, from which the second island was discovered in 1800
Dependency status
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
Legal system
the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Economy
No economic activity
1 fieldTransportation
1 fieldMilitary and Security
1 fieldMilitary - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Transnational Issues
1 fieldDisputes - international
Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Ashmore And Cartier Islands.” The World Factbook 2016. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/ashmore-and-cartier-islands/2016.