The 2008 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

broadcast stations:

      AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004)

      Radios:

      50,000 (1997)

      Television broadcast stations:

      1 (1997)

      Televisions:

      20,000 (1997)

      Internet country code:

      .aw

      Internet hosts:

      17,661 (2008)

      Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

      NA

      Internet users:

      24,000 (2007)

      Transportation

       Aruba

      Airports:

      1 (2007)

      Airports - with paved runways:

      total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2007)

      Ports and terminals:

      Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas

      Military

       Aruba

      Military branches:

      no regular indigenous military forces; the Netherlands maintains a detachment of marines, a frigate, and an amphibious combat detachment in the neighboring Netherlands Antilles (2008)

      Manpower available for military service:

      males age 16–49: 24,585 females age 16–49: 25,742 (2008 est.)

      Manpower fit for military service:

      males age 16–49: 20,173 females age 16–49: 21,062 (2008 est.)

      Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

      male: 705 female: 719 (2008 est.)

      Military - note:

      defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

      Transnational Issues

       Aruba

      Disputes - international:

      none

      Illicit drugs:

      transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine

      This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008

      ======================================================================

      @Ashmore and Cartier Islands

      Introduction

       Ashmore and Cartier Islands

      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, became a marine reserve in 2000.

      Geography

       Ashmore and Cartier Islands

      Location:

      Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island

      Geographic coordinates:

      12 14 S, 123 05 E

      Map references:

      Southeast Asia

      Area:

      total: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island

      Area - comparative:

      about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

      Land boundaries:

      0 km

      Coastline:

      74.1 km

      Maritime claims:

      territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

      Climate:

      tropical

      Terrain:

      low with sand and coral

      Elevation extremes:

      lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m

      Natural resources:

      fish

      Land use:

      arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005)

      Irrigated land:

      0 sq km

      Natural hazards:

      surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards

      Environment - current issues:

      illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems

      Geography - note:

      Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983;

       Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000

      People

       Ashmore and Cartier Islands

      Population:

      no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only

      Government

       Ashmore and Cartier Islands

      Country name:

      conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands

      Dependency status:

      territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Attorney-General's Department

      Legal system:

      the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply

      Diplomatic representation in the US:

      none (territory of Australia)

      Diplomatic representation from the US:

      none (territory of Australia)

      Flag description:

      the flag of Australia is used

      Economy

       Ashmore and Cartier Islands

      Economy - overview:

      no economic activity

      Transportation

       Ashmore and Cartier Islands

      Ports and terminals:

      none; offshore anchorage only

      Military

       Ashmore and Cartier Islands

      Military - note:

      defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force

      Transnational Issues