evidence: A diverse group of territories claimed or controlled by Australia, the Australian External Territories are, except for the Antarctic Territory, islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans. The Antarctica claim covers a huge portion of that continent. The other external territories are Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island. Australia also controls several miles of ocean surrounding each. The territories account for virtually every type of climate and are home to myriad animal species, but they have few human inhabitants. [...] The Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands is composed of two groups of islands and reefs in the Indian Ocean about 200 miles (320 kilometers) off the northwest Australian coast. The territory, with an area of 2 square miles (5 square kilometers), is uninhabited. However, it adjoins underwater oil fields that are important to both Australia and Indonesia. Ashmore Reef was made a national nature reserve in 1983, and the Cartier Island Marine Reserve was established in 2000. Illegal fishing is a major environmental issue.