From Wikisource
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Tromelin Island |
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| Introduction |
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 |
Tromelin Island |
| 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: |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
| 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) (2001) |
| 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) |
| Population: |
uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2004 est.) |
| Government |
Tromelin Island |
| 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 - overview: |
no economic activity |
| Communications |
Tromelin Island |
| Communications - note: |
important meteorological station |
| Transportation |
Tromelin Island |
| Ports and harbors: |
none; offshore anchorage only |
| Airports: |
1 (2003 est.) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways: |
total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
| 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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