Location:
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island

Geographic coordinates:
12 14 S, 123 05 E

Map references:
Southeast Asia

Area:
total: 5 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 5 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data): 250

Area - comparative:
about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
74.1 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
contiguous zone: 12 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - contiguous zone country ranks ]
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
[see also: Maritime claims - continental shelf country ranks ]
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive fishing zone country ranks ]

Climate:
tropical

Terrain:
low with sand and coral

Elevation:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cartier Island 5 m

Natural resources:
fish

Land use:
0% (2014 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]

Natural hazards:
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards

Environment - current issues:
illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems; sea level rise, changes in sea temperature, and ocean acidification are concerns; marine debris

Geography - note:
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000