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Factors
From The World Factbook -- Heard Island and McDonald Islands
| Background: |
These uninhabited, barren 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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| Location: |
Southern Africa, islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica
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| Geographic coordinates: |
53 06 S, 72 31 E
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| Map references: |
Antarctic Region
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| Area: |
total:
412 sq km
land:
412 sq km
water:
0 sq km
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| Area - comparative: |
slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
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| Maritime claims: |
exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM
territorial sea:
3 NM
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| Terrain: |
Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with a quiescent volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rocky
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| Elevation extremes: |
lowest point:
Southern Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Big Ben 2,745 m
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| Land use: |
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
0%
forests and woodland:
0%
other:
100%
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| Irrigated land: |
0 sq km (1993)
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| Natural hazards: |
Heard Island is dominated by a dormant volcano called Big Ben
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| Environment - current issues: |
NA
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| Geography - note: |
primarily used for research stations
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| Population: |
uninhabited (July 2001 est.)
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| Country name: |
conventional long form:
Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form:
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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| Dependency status: |
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories
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| Legal system: |
the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply
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| Diplomatic representation in the US: |
none (territory of Australia)
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| Diplomatic representation from the US: |
none (territory of Australia)
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| Flag description: |
the flag of Australia is used
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| Economy - overview: |
no economic activity
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| Internet country code: |
.hm
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| Ports and harbors: |
none; offshore anchorage only
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| Military - note: |
defense is the responsibility of Australia
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| Disputes - international: |
none
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* based on information from the CIA World Factbook
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In the recommended column: Definitely worth checking ...
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