Tromelin Island (2002) | Tromelin Island (2001) | |
Airports | 1 (2001) | 1 (2000 est.) |
Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2002) |
total:
1 under 914 m: 1 (2000 est.) |
Area | total: 1 sq km
land: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total:
1 sq km land: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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. | 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. |
Climate | tropical | tropical |
Coastline | 3.7 km | 3.7 km |
Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tromelin Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Tromelin |
conventional long form:
none conventional short form: Tromelin Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Tromelin |
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 and Mauritius | claimed by Madagascar and Mauritius |
Economy - overview | no economic activity | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m |
lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of France is used | the flag of France is used |
Geographic coordinates | 15 52 S, 54 25 E | 15 52 S, 54 25 E |
Geography - note | climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) | climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1998 est.) | 0 sq km (1993) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (1998 est.) |
arable land:
0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (scattered bushes) |
Legal system | the laws of France, where applicable, apply | the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar | Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar |
Map references | Africa | Africa |
Maritime claims | continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation 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 | NA | NA |
Natural resources | fish | fish |
Population | uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2002 est.) | uninhabited (July 2001 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic | low, flat, and sandy |
Waterways | none | none |