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Legend:
 Definition
 Field Listing
 Rank Order
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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
land: 412 sq km
water: 0 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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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
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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% (2005)
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km
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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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Geography - note:
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Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, the most recent being in 2005
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Economy - overview:
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The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters.
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Internet country code:
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.hm
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Ports and terminals:
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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
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This page was last updated on 14 May 2009
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