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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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| Geography |
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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
land: 412 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
| Area—comparative: | slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC |
| Land boundaries: | 0 km |
| Coastline: | 101.9 km |
| Maritime claims: | territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 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% (2005) |
| Irrigated land: | 0 sq km |
| Natural hazards: | Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island |
| Environment—current issues: | NA |
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| People |
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| Population: | uninhabited |
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| Government |
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| Country name: | conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
abbreviation: HIMI |
| Dependency status: | territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts |
| 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 |
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| Economy |
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| 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 |
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| Internet country code: | .hm |
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| Transportation |
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| Ports and terminals: | none; offshore anchorage only |
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| Military |
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| Military—note: | defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols |
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| Transnational Issues |
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| Disputes—international: | none |
