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

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