Heard Island and McDonald Islands :: Antarctica
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: 202
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:
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
Economic 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.
Ease of Doing Business Index scores:
Communications
Internet country code:
.hm
Transportation
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military and Security
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international:
none
