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Location:
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Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island
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Geographic coordinates:
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12 14 S, 123 05 E
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Map references:
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Oceania
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Area:
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total: 5 sq km
country comparison to the world: 247
land:
5 sq km
water:
0 sq km
note:
includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
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Area - comparative:
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about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
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Land boundaries:
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0 km
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Coastline:
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74.1 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:
12 nm
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
continental shelf:
200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
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Climate:
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tropical
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Terrain:
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low with sand and coral
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point:
unnamed location 3 m
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Natural resources:
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fish
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops:
0%
other:
100% (all grass and sand) (2005)
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km
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Natural hazards:
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surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
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Environment - current issues:
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illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems
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Geography - note:
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Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000
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