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Home  »  The World Factbook, 2008  »  Tromelin Island

The World Factbook. 2008.

Tromelin Island

 
Flag of Tromelin Island                Map of 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