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Background:
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 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. |
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Location:
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islands in the
Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to
Antarctica |
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Geographic coordinates:
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53 06 S, 72 31 E |
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Map references:
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Antarctic
Region |
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Area:
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total: 412
sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 412 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly more
than two times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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101.9 km |
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Climate:
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antarctic |
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Terrain:
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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 |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish |
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Land use:
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arable land:
0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998
est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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Mawson Peak, an
active volcano, is on Heard Island |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Population:
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uninhabited (July
2004 est.) |
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Country name:
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conventional
long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald
Islands |
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Dependency status:
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territory of
Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian
Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and
Heritage |
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Legal system:
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the laws of
Australia, where applicable, apply |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (territory
of Australia) |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (territory
of Australia) |
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Economy - overview:
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No indigenous
economic activity, but the Australian Government allows
limited fishing around the islands. |
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Internet country code:
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.hm |
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Waterways:
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none |
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Ports and harbors:
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none; offshore
anchorage only |
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Military - note:
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defense is the
responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries
patrols |
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Disputes - international:
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none |
This page was last updated on 11 May, 2004
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