Bassas da India (2001) | Europa Island (2006) | |
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Airports | - | 1 (2006) |
Airports - with unpaved runways | - | total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006) |
Area | total:
0.2 sq km land: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 28 sq km
land: 28 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about 0.16 times the size of Washington, DC |
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. | A French possession since 1897, the island is heavily wooded; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station. |
Climate | tropical | tropical |
Coastline | 35.2 km | 22.2 km |
Country name | conventional long form:
none conventional short form: Bassas da India |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Europa Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Europa |
Dependency status | possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion | possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands |
Disputes - international | claimed by Madagascar | claimed by Madagascar |
Economy - overview | no economic activity | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m |
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 24 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of France is used | the flag of France is used |
Geographic coordinates | 21 30 S, 39 50 E | 22 20 S, 40 22 E |
Geography - note | - | wildlife sanctuary |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1993) | 0 sq km |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land:
0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all rock) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mangrove forests and woodlands) (2005) |
Legal system | the laws of France, where applicable, apply | the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique | Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way between southern Madagascar and southern Mozambique |
Map references | Africa | Africa |
Maritime claims | exclusive economic zone:
200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of France | defense is the responsibility of France |
Natural hazards | maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones | NA |
Natural resources | none | NEGL |
Population | uninhabited (July 2001 est.) | no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2006 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | - |
Terrain | volcanic rock | low and flat |
Waterways | none | - |