Clipperton Island (2007) | Clipperton Island (2005) | |
Area | total: 6 sq km
land: 6 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 6 sq km
land: 6 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
Background | This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935. | This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935. |
Climate | tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, wet season (May to October) | tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains May-October |
Coastline | 11.1 km | 11.1 km |
Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Clipperton Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Clipperton former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Clipperton Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Clipperton former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion |
Dependency status | possession of France; administered directly by the Minister of Overseas France | possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic |
Disputes - international | none | none |
Economy - overview | Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. | Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m |
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of France is used | the flag of France is used |
Geographic coordinates | 10 17 N, 109 13 W | 10 17 N, 109 13 W |
Geography - note | reef 12 km in circumference | reef 12 km in circumference |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (2005) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (2001) |
Legal system | the laws of France, where applicable, apply | the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
Location | Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico | Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico |
Map references | Political Map of the World | Political Map of the World |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 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 | NA | NA |
Natural resources | fish | fish |
Population | uninhabited | uninhabited (July 2005 est.) |
Ports and harbors | - | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | coral atoll | coral atoll |