Except for the Antarctic Territory, which is on the continent of Antarctica, the Australian External Territories are all islands in the Indian, Pacific, and Southern oceans. They span one third of the Southern Hemisphere and include virtually every type of climate and physical environment. There are few inhabitants, however. The Territories comprise the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands Territory, Heard Island and the McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island.

The Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands

is composed of two groups of islands and reefs in the Indian Ocean off the northwest Australian coast. The territory, within an area of 2 square miles (5 square kilometers), is uninhabited and was transferred from British control in 1931. Ashmore Reef was declared a national nature reserve in 1983.

The Australian Antarctic Territory,

with an area of some 2,400,000 square miles (6,200,000 square kilometers), covers about one third of Antarctica. It was transferred to Australia from Great Britain in 1933. The area is permanently frozen, and strong winds and blizzards dominate the climate. Plant life is limited to mosses and lichens. The coastal region contains migratory seabirds, penguins, and seals. There is no permanent population, but the territory is regularly visited by scientists based at Mawson, Davis, and Casey stations. With other countries, Australia has taken part in international research projects in Antarctica such as the BIOMASS program, which studies the marine life of Antarctic waters. Members of the Antarctic Treaty, including Australia, adopted the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources in 1980. (See also Antarctica.)

Christmas Island,

northeast of the Cocos and about 1,630 miles (2,623 kilometers) from Perth, covers some 52 square miles (135 square kilometers) in the Indian Ocean. The islanders depend almost entirely on the mining of phosphate rock for their livelihood. Yearly rainfall averages 81 inches (205 centimeters), with a summer wet season. Temperatures range from 64° to 85° F (18° to 30° C). Christmas Island supports a dense rain forest and various animals.

The population (1989 estimate) is about 1,200, of whom some 60 percent are of Chinese descent and 20 percent are of Malay descent. The supply of phosphate rock, mined since 1891 for use in fertilizer manufacturing in Australia, is becoming depleted, though in 1990 a joint venture took over the operation of the phosphate mine.

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands,

some 1,720 miles (2,768 kilometers) northwest of Perth, comprise 27 small coral islands forming two atolls in the Indian Ocean. Their total area is five square miles (14 square kilometers). Temperatures on the islands range from 75° to 85° F (24° to 29° C), and rainfall averages 79 inches (200 centimeters) annually.

The Cocos has some 555 residents, about 300 of whom are Cocos Malays—descendants of workers, mostly of Malay origin, brought there beginning in 1827. Copra is the sole cash crop. Other activities are subsistence farming, fishing, and boatbuilding.

The first European to visit the islands was Capt. William Keeling in 1609. In 1857 the islands were claimed by Britain and in 1955 transferred to Australia. The copra plantation was owned by the Clunies-Ross family from 1827 to 1978, when Australia purchased it. The Cocos Malay population controls local affairs.

The Territory of Coral Sea Islands

is made up of scattered reefs and islands off the northeast Australian coast. The islands are mainly coral and sand, though some have grassy or low shrub vegetation. They are the home of 49 seabird species and also turtles that nest in the sand. Abundant marine life inhabits the clear waters, and the island has stopover facilities for visitors to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. There is no population apart from a manned weather station on Willis Island. Australia claimed the territory in 1969.

Heard Island

lies off the Antarctic ice shelf in the south Indian Ocean, about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) southwest of Perth, Australia. Glaciers cover much of it.

The McDonald Islands,

small and rocky, are 27 miles (43 kilometers) to the west of Heard Island. Together Heard and McDonald islands cover an area of about 159 square miles (412 square kilometers). The islands have no permanent human population. Plant cover is sparse, but Heard and McDonald support many seabird breeding colonies, including penguins and albatross. Elephant seals and leopard seals frequent the shores. During the 19th century, the seals and penguins were exploited for oil. Australia gained control of the islands from Great Britain in 1947. Beginning in 1985, several major research programs were undertaken to study the islands' wildlife.

Norfolk Island,

with an area of 14 square miles (36 square kilometers), lies 1,041 miles (1,675 kilometers) northeast of Sydney, Australia. It is noted for its rugged coastline, graceful stone buildings, and the native Norfolk Island pine. Temperatures range from 50° to 82° F (10° to 28° C). The presence of pine timber and flax encouraged British settlement of the island, but both have been extensively cleared. Attention is now being given to reforestation.

The resident population is about 2,000 (1986 estimate), one third of whom are descendants of crew members of the British ship Bounty who mutinied in 1789. They moved to Norfolk Island from Pitcairn Island in 1856. Tourism is the island's main industry. Farming and fishing are carried on, but most items that support the tourist trade are imported. Postage stamps account for one third of government revenue.

The island was discovered in 1774 by Capt. James Cook and became a penal settlement in 1788. It became an Australian Commonwealth Territory in 1914. In 1979 the Norfolk Island Act established a framework for self-government. (See also Australia.)