Territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate: tropical

Terrain: low with sand and coral

Natural resources: fish

Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other—grass and sand

Environment: surrounded by shoals and reefs; Ashmore Reef National
Nature Reserve established in August 1983

Note: located in extreme eastern Indian Ocean between Australia and Indonesia 320 km off the northwest coast of Australia

- People
Population: no permanent inhabitants; seasonal caretakers

- Government
Long-form name: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Type: territory of Australia administered by the Australian Ministry for Territories and Local Government