Heard Island and McDonald Islands

   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: Southern Africa, 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: Southern Ocean 0 m
                                        highest point: 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 2002 est.)
                        Population growth rate: NA
  
   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
                     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 none (territory of Australia)
                                    US:
                      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
   ------------------------------------------------------
                                              Disputes - international: none