- Heard Island and McDonald Islands
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Introduction ::Heard Island and McDonald IslandsBackground:The United Kingdom 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 ::Heard Island and McDonald IslandsLocation:islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to AntarcticaGeographic coordinates:53 06 S, 72 31 EArea:total: 412 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 203land: 412 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmArea - comparative:slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:101.9 kmMaritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive fishing zone: 200 nmClimate:antarcticTerrain: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 rockyElevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mawson Peak on Big Ben volcano 2,745 mNatural resources:fishLand use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%other: 100% (2011)Irrigated land:0 sq km (2011)Natural hazards:Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard IslandEnvironment - current issues:NAGeography - 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 2005People and Society ::Heard Island and McDonald IslandsPopulation:uninhabitedGovernment ::Heard Island and McDonald IslandsCountry name:conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islandsconventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsabbreviation: HIMIDependency 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, where applicable, applyDiplomatic representation in the US:none (territory of Australia)Diplomatic representation from the US:none (territory of Australia)Flag description:the flag of Australia is usedEconomy ::Heard Island and McDonald IslandsEconomy - 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 ::Heard Island and McDonald IslandsInternet country code:.hmInternet hosts:102 (2012)country comparison to the world: 208Transportation ::Heard Island and McDonald IslandsPorts and terminals:none; offshore anchorage onlyMilitary ::Heard Island and McDonald IslandsMilitary - note:defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrolsTransnational Issues ::Heard Island and McDonald IslandsDisputes - international:none"
The World Factbook. 2014.