Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Introduction Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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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 Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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Location: Southern Africa, 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
water: 0 sq km
land: 412 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than two times the
size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 101.9 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 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: Southern Ocean 0 m
highest point: Big Ben 2,745 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is
on Heard Island
Environment - current issues: NA
People Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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Population: uninhabited (July 2002 est.)
Population growth rate: NA
Government Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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Country name: conventional long form: Territory of
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard
Island and McDonald Islands
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered
from Canberra by the Australian
Antarctic Division of the Department
of the Environment and Heritage
Legal system: the laws of Australia, where
applicable, apply
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the none (territory of Australia)
US:
Flag description: the flag of Australia is used
Economy Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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Economy - overview: No indigenous economic activity, but
the Australian Government allows
limited fishing around the islands.
Communications Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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Internet country code: .hm
Transportation Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Military Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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Military - note: defense is the responsibility of
Australia; Australia conducts
fisheries patrols
Transnational Issues Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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Disputes - international: none