The World Factbook | ||
Tromelin Island |
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Introduction | Tromelin Island |
Background:
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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:
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Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar |
Geographic coordinates:
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15 52 S, 54 25 E |
Map references:
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Africa |
Area:
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total: 1 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 1 sq km |
Area - comparative:
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about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
Land boundaries:
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0 km |
Coastline:
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3.7 km |
Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
Climate:
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tropical |
Terrain:
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low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic |
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m |
Natural resources:
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fish |
Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (2001) |
Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Natural hazards:
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NA |
Environment - current issues:
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NA |
Geography - note:
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climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) |
People | Tromelin Island |
Population:
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uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2004 est.) |
Government | Tromelin Island |
Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tromelin Island local short form: Ile Tromelin 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 |
Flag description:
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the flag of France is used |
Economy | Tromelin Island |
Economy - overview:
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no economic activity |
Communications | Tromelin Island |
Communications - note:
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important meteorological station |
Transportation | Tromelin Island |
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
under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
Military | Tromelin Island |
Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of France |
Transnational Issues | Tromelin Island |
Disputes - international:
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claimed by Mauritius |
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005 |