Country Profile: Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Heard Island and McDonald Islands are a remote Australian territory located in the southern Indian Ocean, approximately two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica. The islands are uninhabited and primarily serve as a site for scientific research due to their unique geography and climate, which consists of an Antarctic environment with limited human interference. Governed by Australia, the islands feature a mix of natural beauty, including the active Mawson Peak volcano, and are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, emphasizing their ecological significance.

Geography

Heard Island and McDonald Islands are geographically positioned in the Antarctic region, characterized by harsh, icy terrains. Heard Island is predominantly ice-covered and mountainous, while McDonald Islands are smaller and rockier. The highest point, Mawson Peak, reaches an elevation of 2,745 meters, making it the tallest mountain in Australian territory.

412 sq km: Total area of the islands.
101.9 km: Coastline length.
2,745 m: Highest elevation from Mawson Peak.
0%: Percentage of agricultural land use as of 2011.
100%: Percentage of land designated for other uses as of 2018.
12 nm: Territorial sea maritime claim.
200 nm: Exclusive fishing zone claim.

People and Society

Heard Island and McDonald Islands are entirely uninhabited, primarily utilized for limited scientific research and expeditions. This lack of permanent residents underscores their isolation and ecological integrity.

Economy

No economic activities are recorded, reflecting the islands' uninhabited status and limited resource utilization, aside from some fishing in surrounding waters.

Government

Heard Island and McDonald Islands form a territory of Australia, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment. The laws of Australia apply to the islands, and they share the same flag as Australia.

Territory of Australia: Dependency status.
1: UNESCO World Heritage site status.
HIMI: Abbreviation for the territory.

Military and Security

Defense responsibilities for Heard Island and McDonald Islands rest with Australia, highlighting their strategic significance despite their remote location.

Transportation

The islands feature two heliports, facilitating access for scientific research and expeditions.

2: Number of heliports planned by 2025.

Communications

The islands are assigned the internet country code .hm, though their remote and uninhabited status limits telecommunication activities.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	Uninhabited	No permanent residents
Area	412 sq km	Size of the territory
Highest Elevation	2,745 m	Mawson Peak on Heard Island
Coastline	101.9 km	Length of the coastal line
Territorial Sea	12 nm	Maritime claim
Exclusive Fishing Zone	200 nm	Fishing zone surrounding