CIA World Fact Book, 2004/Glorioso Islands

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8000CIA World Fact Book, 2004 — Glorioso Islands
Glorioso Islands
map of Glorioso Islands


Introduction Glorioso Islands
Background: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.


Geography Glorioso Islands
Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 11 30 S, 47 20 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 5 sq km
note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock
water: 0 sq km
land: 5 sq km
Area - comparative: about eight times 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: low and flat
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 12 m
Natural resources: guano, coconuts
Land use: arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2001)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic cyclones
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system


People Glorioso Islands
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2004 est.)


Government Glorioso Islands
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Glorioso Islands
local short form: Iles Glorieuses
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
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (possession of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (possession of France)
Flag description: the flag of France is used


Economy Glorioso Islands
Economy - overview: no economic activity


Communications Glorioso Islands
Communications - note: 1 meteorological station


Transportation Glorioso Islands
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: 1 (2003 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)


Military Glorioso Islands
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