Boundary Islet

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Boundary Islet
Hogan Island map.png
Map of Hogan Group showing Boundary Islet
Boundary Islet is located in Tasmania
Boundary Islet
Boundary Islet
Location of the Boundary Islet in Bass Strait
Geography
LocationBass Strait
Coordinates39°11′55″S 147°1′17″E / 39.19861°S 147.02139°E / -39.19861; 147.02139Coordinates: 39°11′55″S 147°1′17″E / 39.19861°S 147.02139°E / -39.19861; 147.02139
ArchipelagoHogan Group
Area2 ha (4.9 acres)
Length85 m (279 ft)
Administration
Australia
States
  • Victoria (north)
  • Tasmania (south)

Boundary Islet, historically known as North East Islet, is a two ha (4.9-acre) islet in the Hogan Island Group of Bass Strait, at a latitude of 39°12′ S, about 56 km (35 mi) east of the southernmost point of mainland Victoria. The islet straddles the maritime border of the Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania, hence the name.

Tasmania–Victoria land border[]

Boundary Islet is divided in the east–west direction at the latitude 39°12′ S, with the northern portion belonging to Victoria and the southern portion belonging to Tasmania. This is Tasmania's only land border, and at 85 m (279 ft) long, it is the shortest land border between any two Australian states or territories.[1]

This situation is accidental, and arose as a result of an error made by Captain John Black, who surveyed the position of the islet in 1801 and determined its latitude to be slightly further north than it truly is. The boundary between Victoria and Tasmania was later set along the latitude of 39°12′ S, which was then thought to be completely south of Boundary Islet and not to traverse any land in Bass Strait.[2][3] This would have made the islet completely within the jurisdiction of Victoria. However, when Boundary Islet's correct latitude was later determined it was found to straddle the border. It is for this reason that what was once known as North East Islet (being situated in the north-east of the Hogan Group) came to be known as Boundary Islet.

See also[]

  • List of islands of Australia
  • List of islands of Tasmania

References[]

  1. ^ Jacobs, Frank (24 April 2012). "One Island, Two Countries". The New York Times.
  2. ^ Moore, Garry (April 2014). "The boundary between Tasmania and Victoria: Uncertainties and their possible resolution" (PDF). Traverse. The Institute of Surveyors Victoria (294). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  3. ^ Taylor, Greg; Economou, Nicholas (2006). The Constitution of Victoria. Federation Press. pp. 17–. ISBN 978-1-86287-612-5.
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