Ashmore and Cartier Islands

The Australian territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands comprises a group of small, low, coral-and-sand islands – West, Middle and East Islands of Ashmore Reef, Cartier Island – and the surrounding 12-nautical-mile sea. The territory is some 320 km of the north-west, Indian Ocean coast of Australia, and 170 km south of Roti Island (123°33'E 12°31'S). Challis and Jabiru oilfields are nearby.

Talks between Indonesia and Australia in recent years, brought on by the proximity of the territory to Indonesia, led to a 1997 treaty aimed at settling a number of maritime boundaries between the two countries. Discussions continue.

Reference

Geoscience Australia. 2006. "Ashmore and Cartier Islands". Retrieved 15 August 2008 from http://www.ga.gov.au/education/facts/dimensions/externalterr/ashmore.htm