In general, information available as of 1 January 2003
was used in the preparation of The World Factbook 2003.

This page was last updated on 1 August, 2003

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:	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: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mawson Peak, on 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 2003 est.)

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 US:	none (territory of Australia)
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

This page was last updated on 1 August, 2003