Background 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.

NOTE: The information regarding Ashmore and Cartier Islands on this page is re-published from the 2002 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Ashmore and Cartier Islands Introduction 2002 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Ashmore and Cartier Islands Introduction 2002 should be addressed to the CIA.