Geography of the Heard and McDonald Islands
Geographical features of Heard Island and McDonald Islands / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The geography of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) refers to the geography of Heard Island and the McDonald Islands, one of the most remote places on earth. The islands belong to Australia and are located 4,000 kilometres (2,485.5 mi) southwest of the mainland in the Southern Ocean. These subantarctic islands were transferred to Australia by the United Kingdom in 1947. They lie between Madagascar and Antarctica.[1]
Nickname: HIMI | |
---|---|
Geography | |
Location | Indian Ocean |
Coordinates | 53°06′00″S 73°31′00″E |
Archipelago | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
Total islands | 5 |
Major islands | 2 |
Area | 368 km2 (142 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 2,745 m (9006 ft) |
Highest point | Mawson Peak |
Administration | |
Demographics | |
Population | 0 (1 January 2011) |
Pop. density | 0/km2 (0/sq mi) |
Ethnic groups | 0 |
Official name | Heard Island and McDonald Islands |
Type | Natural |
Criteria | viii, ix |
Designated | 1997 (21st session) |
Reference no. | 577 |
Region | Asia-Pacific |
HIMI has no ports or harbours; ships must anchor offshore. The coastline is 101.9 kilometres (63.3 mi), and a 12-nautical-mile (22 km; 14 mi) territorial sea and 200-nautical-mile (370 km; 230 mi) exclusive fishing zone is claimed.[1] The HIMI marine zone, situated to the south of the Antarctic Convergence, is a biological hot spot for breeding and non-breeding seabirds and marine mammals such as penguins, petrels, elephant seals and fur seals.[2] HIMI was inscribed as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1999 under the title " "Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands".[3]