The World Factbook. 2008.
Tromelin Island
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| 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 | |
| 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: | continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
| 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) (1998 est.) |
| 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) |
| People | |
| Population: | uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2003 est.) |
| Government | |
| 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 | |
| Economy—overview: | no economic activity |
| Communications | |
| Communications—note: | important meteorological station |
| Transportation | |
| Waterways: | none |
| Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only |
| Airports: | 1 (2002) |
| Airports—with unpaved runways: | total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) |
| Military | |
| Military—note: | defense is the responsibility of France |
| Transnational Issues | |
| Disputes—international: | claimed by Mauritius |