| The World Factbook | ||
| Tromelin Island |
|
|
|
| Introduction | Tromelin Island |
|
Background:
|
First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station. |
| Geography | Tromelin Island |
|
Location:
|
Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
15 52 S, 54 25 E |
|
Map references:
|
Africa |
|
Area:
|
total: 1 sq km
land: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km |
|
Area - comparative:
|
about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
|
Coastline:
|
3.7 km |
|
Maritime claims:
|
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
|
Climate:
|
tropical |
|
Terrain:
|
low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m |
|
Natural resources:
|
fish |
|
Land use:
|
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (2001) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
0 sq km (1998 est.) |
|
Natural hazards:
|
NA |
|
Environment - current issues:
|
NA |
|
Geography - note:
|
climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) |
| People | Tromelin Island |
|
Population:
|
uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2005 est.) |
| Government | Tromelin Island |
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tromelin Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Tromelin |
|
Dependency status:
|
possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands |
|
Legal system:
|
the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
|
Flag description:
|
the flag of France is used |
| Economy | Tromelin Island |
|
Economy - overview:
|
no economic activity |
| Communications | Tromelin Island |
|
Communications - note:
|
important meteorological station |
| Transportation | Tromelin Island |
|
Ports and harbors:
|
none; offshore anchorage only |
|
Airports:
|
1 (2004 est.) |
|
Airports - with unpaved runways:
|
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
| Military | Tromelin Island |
|
Military - note:
|
defense is the responsibility of France |
| Transnational Issues | Tromelin Island |
|
Disputes - international:
|
claimed by Mauritius |
|
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 |
|