Heard
Welcome to Heard, a Polar island in the Indian Ocean, part of the majestic Indian Ocean. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of what makes Heard unique – from its geography and climate to its population, infrastructure, and beyond. Dive into the details:
- Geography and Size: Explore the island’s size and location.
- Climate and Weather: Weather patterns and temperature.
- Topography and Nature: Uncover the natural wonders of the island.
- Infrastructure and Travelling: Insights on reaching, staying, and making the most of your visit.
- News and Headlines: Latest News.
Geography and size of Heard
Size: 360.1 km²
Coastline: 169.3 km
Ocean: Indian Ocean
Sea: Indian Ocean
Continent: Seven seas (open ocean)
Heard is a Large Island spanning 360 km² with a coastline of 169 km.
Archipel: Southern Indian Ocean Islands – Remote islands in the southern Indian Ocean, known for their unique ecosystems, importance for biodiversity, and scientific research.
Tectonic Plate: Antarctica – Covers the Antarctic continent and extends outward, characterized by interactions with surrounding oceanic plates and known for its seismic activity along the periphery.
The geographic heart of the island is pinpointed at these coordinates:
Latitude: -53.09302519 / Longitude: 73.51856322
Climate and weather of Heard
Climate Zone: Polar
Climate Details: Tundra
Temperature: Cold
Climate Characteristics: The tundra climate features long, extremely cold winters and short, cool summers. Vegetation is limited to mosses, lichens, and small shrubs due to the low temperatures and short growing seasons. Biodiversity is low, but some specialized species thrive.
Topography and nature of Heard
Timezone: UTC+05:00
Timezone places: Asia/Karachi
Max. Elevation: 2745 m Mawson Peak
Mean Elevation: 580 m
Vegetation: Snow and Ice Covered
Tree Coverage: 59%
The mean elevation is 580 m. Dominating the island’s landscape, the majestic “Mawson Peak” rises as the highest peak, soaring to impressive heights. The island is characterized by Mountains: High, steeply elevated landforms. Characterized by both a high maximum elevation (over 500 meters) and a high mean elevation, creating rugged, mountainous terrains on islands.
Dominating Vegetation: Snow and Ice Covered
These areas are permanently or seasonally covered in snow and ice, with little to no vegetation, such as polar regions and high mountains. Heard has a tree cover of 59 %.
Vegetation: 13 vegetation zones – Exceptionally Diverse Island
Islands with more than ten vegetation zones are among the most ecologically rich and varied in the world. These islands are akin to miniature continents, boasting an incredible array of ecosystems. The sheer range of habitats, from high peaks to deep valleys, rainforests to deserts, creates a mosaic of life that is unparalleled. They are crucial for conservation and ecological studies.
Infrastructure and Travelling to Heard
Does the island have a public airport? no.
There is no public and scheduled airport on Heard. The nearest airport is Sir Charles Gaetan Duval Airport, located 3851 km away.
Does the island have a major port? no.
There are no major ports on Heard. The closest major port is PORT MATHURIN, approximately 3858 km away.
The mean population of Heard is per km². Heard is . The island belongs to Australia.
The name of the island resonates across different cultures and languages. Here is how it is known around the world: Arabic: جزيرة هيرد; German: Heard; Spanish: Isla Heard; French: île Heard; Portuguese: Ilha Heard; Russian: Херд; Chinese: 赫德岛
Continuing your journey, Longue is the next notable island, situated merely km away.
Heard Island Cordell Expedition 2016
Australia is classified as Developed region: nonG7: Developed economies outside of the Group of Seven, characterized by high income and advanced economic structures. The level of income is High income: OECD.
News – Latest Updates and Headlines from Heard
Stay informed with the most recent news and important headlines from Heard. Here’s a roundup of the latest developments.
Please note: The data used here has been primarily extracted from satellite readings. Deviations from exact values may occur, particularly regarding the height of elevations and population density. Land area and coastline measurements refer to average values at mean high tide.