]! ^! These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve. 
]" ^" Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island ^# 12 14 S, 123 05 E ^$ Southeast Asia ^% `! 5 sq km `" 5 sq km `# 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island ^& about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC ^' 0 km ^( 74.1 km ^) `$ 12 nm `H 12 nm `J 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation `a 200 nm ^* tropical ^+ low with sand and coral ^, `% Indian Ocean 0 m `& unnamed location 3 m ^- fish ^. `' 0% `( 0% `) 100% (all grass and sand) (2001) ^/ 0 sq km (1998 est.) ^0 surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards ^1 NA ^2 Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 
]# ^3 no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2005 est.) _` the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem 
]$ ^F `4 Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands `5 Ashmore and Cartier Islands ^G territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services ^N the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply ^V none (territory of Australia) ^W none (territory of Australia) ^X the flag of Australia is used 
]% ^Y no economic activity 
]' _C none; offshore anchorage only 
]( _G defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force 
]) _H Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia closed the surrounding waters to Indonesian traditional fishing and created a national park in the region while continuing to prospect for hydrocarbons in the vicinity 