| Introduction - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
| Country | 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. |
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| Location - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
| Location | islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica |
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| Geographic coordinates | 53 06 S, 72 31 E |
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| Map references | Antarctic Region |
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| Area | total: 412 sq km
land: 412 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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| Area comparative | slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC |
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| Land boundaries | 0 km |
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| Coastline | 101.9 km |
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| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
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| Climate | antarctic |
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| 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 |
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| Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m |
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| Natural resources | fish |
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| Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005) |
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| Irrigated land | 0 sq km |
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| Natural hazards | Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island |
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| Environment current issues | NA |
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| People - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
| Population | uninhabited |
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| Dependency status | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage |
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| Government - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
| Country name | conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
abbreviation: HIMI |
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| Legal system | the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply |
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| Diplomatic representation in the us | none (territory of Australia) |
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| Diplomatic representation from the us | none (territory of Australia) |
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| Flag description | the flag of Australia is used |
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| Economy - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
| Economy overview | The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. |
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| Communications - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
| Internet country code | .hm |
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| Transportation - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
| Ports and terminals | none; offshore anchorage only |
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| Military - Heard Island and McDonald Islands: |
| Military note | defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols |
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