Landscape of Heard and McDonald Islands
Flag of Heard and McDonald Islands

Heard and McDonald Islands

Australia/Oceania

The Australian territories of Norfolk Island and Heard and McDonald Islands are administered by different departments in the Australian government. 1 Heard and McDonald Islands (HIMI) are a subantarctic island group with no permanent human population, administered by the Australian Department of the Environment. Norfolk Island is one of Australia’s oldest territories, settled just six weeks after Australia’s first settlement in Sydney. It is located 1,600 km north of the mainland in the Pacific Ocean. 1 1 http://regional.gov.au/territories/

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About Heard and McDonald Islands

The Australian territories of Norfolk Island and Heard and McDonald Islands are administered by different departments in the Australian government. 1 Heard and McDonald Islands (HIMI) are a subantarctic island group with no permanent human population, administered by the Australian Department of the Environment. Norfolk Island is one of Australia’s oldest territories, settled just six weeks after Australia’s first settlement in Sydney. It is located 1,600 km north of the mainland in the Pacific Ocean. 1 1 http://regional.gov.au/territories/

Causes in Heard and McDonald Islands

Environment

Heard and McDonald Islands’ isolation means that its environment has been almost completely unaffected by human visitation. Plant life is limited to plants that can survive the harsh, antarctic climate and find space to grow on the rocky ground. Its landscape is composed of permanent glaciers, coastal lagoons, and a large, active volcano. The Australian Department of the Environment has taken steps to conserve many species of plants and animals and keep the land as unaffected by humans as possible. Human activity on the island is limited to scientific research, military surveillance, and private expeditions. 1

Animals

Heard and McDonald Islands are home to native species of birds, as well as six breeds of Antarctic seals. The islands are an important breeding ground for several types of seals. Bird breeding has been threatened by the introduction of alien species like mice and cats. The island is also home to other species, including penguins and a variety of fish. 1

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