Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Flag of Australia, used for the Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Location of the Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Geography
LocationIndian Ocean
Coordinates12°15′30″S 123°02′30″E / 12.25833°S 123.04167°E / -12.25833; 123.04167
Major islands4
Area5 km2 (1.9 sq mi)
Administration
Australia
Demographics
Population0 (March 2026)

The Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands is an uninhabited Australian external territory consisting of four low-lying tropical islands in two separate reefs (Ashmore and Cartier), as well as the 12-nautical-mile (22 km; 14 mi) territorial sea generated by the islands. The territory is located in the Indian Ocean situated on the edge of the continental shelf, about 320 km (200 mi) off the northwest coast of Australia and 144 km (90 mi) south of the Indonesian island of Rote.