Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Population: uninhabited

2 VISITORS FROM HERE!


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 History
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.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap

 Geography
    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
Location: islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica
Geographic coordinates: 53 06 S, 72 31 E
Area: total: 412 sq km
land: 412 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Size comparison: 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
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
Current Environment Issues: none; uninhabited and mostly ice covered
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 People
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Population: uninhabited
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 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
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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)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of Australia)
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 Economy
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.
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 Energy
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 Communications
Internet country code: .hm
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 Transportation
Roadways:
Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only
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 Military
Defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols
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 Transnational Issues
Disputes - International: none
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Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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   Source: CIA - The World Factbook
 

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