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CIA Seal  World Factbook Seal Bassas da India
Flag of Bassas da India
Map of Bassas da India
Introduction Bassas da India
Background:
This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968.
Geography Bassas da India
Location:
Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique
Geographic coordinates:
21 30 S, 39 50 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 0.2 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 0.2 sq km
Area - comparative:
about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
35.2 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
volcanic rock
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
People Bassas da India
Population:
uninhabited (July 2003 est.)
Government Bassas da India
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bassas da India
Dependency status:
possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Legal system:
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Flag description:
the flag of France is used
Economy Bassas da India
Economy - overview:
no economic activity

Transportation Bassas da India
Waterways:
none
Ports and harbors:
none; offshore anchorage only
Military Bassas da India
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues Bassas da India
Disputes - international:
claimed by Madagascar

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003