The World Factbook | ||
Glorioso Islands |
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Introduction | Glorioso Islands |
Background:
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A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. |
Geography | Glorioso Islands |
Location:
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Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar |
Geographic coordinates:
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11 30 S, 47 20 E |
Map references:
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Africa |
Area:
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total: 5 sq km
note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock water: 0 sq km land: 5 sq km |
Area - comparative:
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about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
Land boundaries:
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0 km |
Coastline:
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35.2 km |
Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Climate:
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tropical |
Terrain:
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low and flat |
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 12 m |
Natural resources:
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guano, coconuts |
Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2001) |
Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Natural hazards:
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periodic cyclones |
Environment - current issues:
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NA |
Geography - note:
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the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system |
People | Glorioso Islands |
Population:
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no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2004 est.) |
Government | Glorioso Islands |
Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local short form: Iles Glorieuses local long form: none |
Dependency status:
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possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion |
Legal system:
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the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (possession of France) |
Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (possession of France) |
Flag description:
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the flag of France is used |
Economy | Glorioso Islands |
Economy - overview:
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no economic activity |
Communications | Glorioso Islands |
Communications - note:
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1 meteorological station |
Transportation | Glorioso Islands |
Ports and harbors:
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none; offshore anchorage only |
Airports:
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1 (2003 est.) |
Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
Military | Glorioso Islands |
Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of France |
Transnational Issues | Glorioso Islands |
Disputes - international:
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claimed by Madagascar |
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005 |