| Bassas da India (2004) | Bassas da India (2003) | |
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| Area | total: 0.2 sq km
land: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 0.2 sq km
land: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km |
| Area - comparative | about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about one-third the size of The Mall in 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. | 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. |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| Coastline | 35.2 km | 35.2 km |
| Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bassas da India |
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 | possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion |
| 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 2.4 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 | 21 30 S, 39 50 E |
| Geography - note | the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano | the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano |
| Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1998 est.) | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
| Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
| Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (2001) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.) |
| 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, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique |
| Map references | Africa | Africa |
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 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 | maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones |
| Natural resources | none | none |
| Population | uninhabited (July 2004 est.) | uninhabited (July 2003 est.) |
| Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | none; offshore anchorage only |
| Terrain | volcanic rock | volcanic rock |
| Waterways | - | none |