The World Factbook. 2008.
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 | |
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 water: 0 sq km land: 1 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: | continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
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) (1998 est.) |
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 | |
Population: | uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2003 est.) |
Government | |
Country name: | conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tromelin Island local short form: Ile Tromelin local long form: none |
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 | |
Economy—overview: | no economic activity |
Communications | |
Communications—note: | important meteorological station |
Transportation | |
Waterways: | none |
Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only |
Airports: | 1 (2002) |
Airports—with unpaved runways: | total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) |
Military | |
Military—note: | defense is the responsibility of France |
Transnational Issues | |
Disputes—international: | claimed by Mauritius |