Country Profile: Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Heard Island and McDonald Islands are remote islands located in the Indian Ocean, approximately two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica. These uninhabited territories are primarily engaged in scientific research, owing to their harsh, icy environments and unique biodiversity, including various seabird species and seals. The islands are governed as an external territory of Australia and are noted for their natural resources, particularly fish. The area's economy is limited, with no permanent population and minimal commercial activities.

Geography

Heard Island and McDonald Islands cover a total area of 412 sq km and are characterized by their extreme climate and rugged terrain. Heard Island is mostly ice-covered and features Mawson Peak, the highest peak in Australian territory at 2,745 m. The islands have a coastline of 101.9 km and do not share land borders with any other territories. Their geographic location makes them a significant site for scientific research and conservation.

80% of Heard Island is ice-covered.
0% agricultural land use was reported in 2011.
100% land use categorized as "other" according to 2018 estimates.
The islands are claimed under 12 nm territorial sea limits.

People and Society

Heard Island and McDonald Islands are uninhabited, with only limited scientific research and expeditions taking place on the islands. The harsh environment and extreme weather conditions make permanent habitation infeasible, which underscores their status as a unique research location rather than a populated territory.

Population: uninhabited.

Government

The territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands is an external territory of Australia, administered from Canberra by the Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment. The legal system of this territory is based on Australian law, and it operates under the Australian flag. The islands also have recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting their environmental significance.

1 UNESCO World Heritage Site (natural) since 1997.
Defense responsibilities lie with Australia.

Military and Security

Heard Island and McDonald Islands do not have a standing military force, as defense is the responsibility of Australia. The territory's remote location and lack of a permanent population mean that military presence is minimal and primarily focused on protection against illegal activities.

Transportation

Access to Heard Island and McDonald Islands is limited, with transportation mainly facilitated by helicopter services. There are currently 2 heliports planned for operation by 2025, supporting scientific expeditions and research activities.

Communications

The islands utilize the Internet country code .hm for any digital communications. Due to their remote nature and lack of a permanent population, communications infrastructure is primarily established for scientific research purposes.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Total Area	412 sq km	Total land area of the islands
Highest Point	2,745 m	Mawson Peak on Heard Island
Coastline Length	101.9 km	Extent of the islands' coastline
Population	Uninhabited	No permanent residents
Agricultural Land	0%	Estimated as of 2011
Other Land Use	100%	Estimated as of 2018
UNESCO World Heritage Site	1	Recognized in 1997