Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Ashmore and Cartier are an archipelago of two atolls and the Hibernia Reef (in the eastern Indian Ocean). The area of the two islands is 199 square kilometers. The islands are considered the outer territory of Australia.

The islands are named after the Cartier and Ashmore ships that discovered them in 1800 and 1801.

In 1909, the atolls were annexed by Great Britain, and in 1931 they came under the dominion of Australia. During the Second World War, the archipelago hosted a testing ground for bombing of the United States of America, England, Australia.

Flora and fauna of the islands: algae endemic Thallassia hemprichii; terns, petrels, herons, agile birds; sea snakes and green sea turtles live in coastal waters.

Population.

Ashmore and Cartier are officially uninhabited. On their territory occasionally come scientific expeditions or landed fishermen from Indonesia.

Climate.

Tropical, dry. The average annual air temperature is from + 25 C to + 27 C. The islands are often hit by tropical cyclones with squally winds and heavy rains.

Visa regime.

Access to the islands of Ashmore and Cartier is limited, the archipelago is considered a protected area. Entry to their territory is allowed with a special permit from the state Department of Australia.

Resorts.

Tourism is not developed on the Ashmore and Cartier atolls. You can get there only with the resolution of Australia, which is issued by the State Department to naturalists and border guards.

Photo: tut1