From Wikisource
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Bassas da India |
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| Introduction |
Bassas da India |
| 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. |
| Geography |
Bassas da India |
| 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
water: 0 sq km
land: 0.2 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 2004 est.) |
| Government |
Bassas da India |
| Country name: |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bassas da India |
| 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 - overview: |
no economic activity |
| Transportation |
Bassas da India |
| Ports and harbors: |
none; offshore anchorage only |
| Military - note: |
defense is the responsibility of France |
This page was last updated on 1 January 2003
This is a snapshot of the CIA World Fact Book as it existed on 26 March 2005
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