This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

Legend: Definition Field Listing Rank Order

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.

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 land: 0.2 sq km water: 0 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:	territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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) (2001)
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

Population:

uninhabited (July 2005 est.)

Country name:	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bassas da India
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 - overview:

no economic activity

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France

Disputes - international:

claimed by Madagascar

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005