islands have been designated a nature preserve.

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Geography

Location: Southern Africa, 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

Area - comparative: slightly more than two times the size of
Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 101.9 km

Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM

territorial sea: 3 NM

Climate: antarctic

Terrain: Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with a quiescent
volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rocky

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Southern Ocean 0 m

highest point: Big Ben 2,745 m

Natural resources: none

Land use: arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

permanent pastures: 0%

forests and woodland: 0%

other: 100%

Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)

Natural hazards: Heard Island is dominated by a dormant volcano
called Big Ben

Environment - current issues: NA

Geography - note: primarily used for research stations

Heard Island and McDonald Islands People

Population: uninhabited (July 2001 est.)

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Government

Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and
McDonald Islands

conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from
Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories

Legal system: the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply

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

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Economy

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Communications

Internet country code: .hm

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Transportation

Waterways: none

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Military

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: none

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@Holy See (Vatican City)

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