Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Descriptive text is not available for this image

Introduction

Background

The UK transferred these uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve.

Geography

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
country comparison to the world: 203

Area - comparative

slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

101.9 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200nm

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

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mawson Peak on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m

Natural resources

fish

Land use

agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
arable land: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
forest: 0% (2011 est.)
other: 100% (2011 est.)

Natural hazards

Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island

Environment - current issues

none; uninhabited and mostly ice covered

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, most recently in 2005

People and Society

Population

uninhabited

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
abbreviation: HIMI
etymology: named after American Captain John HEARD, who sighted the island on 25 November 1853, and American Captain William McDONALD, who discovered the islands on 4 January 1854

Dependency status

territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Australian Antarctic Division)

Legal system

the laws of Australia apply where applicable

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

Economy

Economy - overview

The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. Visits to Heard Island typically focus on terrestrial and marine research and infrequent private expeditions.

Communications

Internet country code

.hm

Military and Security

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols

Transportation

Ports and terminals

none; offshore anchorage only

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

none

Flag of Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Descriptive text is not available for this image