World Factbook
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Area
land
5 sq km
note
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
water
0 sq km
total
5 sq km
Climate
tropical
Terrain
low with sand and coral
Land use
agricultural land
0% (2018 est.)
Location
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island; Ashmore Reef is 840 km west of Darwin and 610 km north of Broome; Cartier Islet is 70 km east of Ashmore Reef
Coastline
74.1 km
Elevation
lowest point
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point
Cartier Island 5 m
Map references
Southeast Asia
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Geography - note
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000
Natural resources
fish
Area - comparative
about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
12 25 S, 123 20 E
note: Ashmore Reef - 12 14 S, 123 05 E; Cartier Islet - 12 32 S, 123 32 E