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Background:
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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. |
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Location:
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Middle
America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km
southwest of Mexico |
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Geographic coordinates:
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10 17 N,
109 13 W |
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Map references:
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Political
Map of the World |
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Area:
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total:
6 sq km
land: 6 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 12
times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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11.1 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
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Climate:
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tropical;
humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains
May-October |
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Terrain:
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coral
atoll |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest
point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish |
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Land use:
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arable
land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (all coral) (2001) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km
(1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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NA |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Geography - note:
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reef 12
km in circumference |
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Population:
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uninhabited (July 2005 est.) |
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Country name:
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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 |
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Dependency status:
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possession of France; administered by France from French
Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic |
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Legal system:
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the laws
of France, where applicable, apply |
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Flag description:
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the flag
of France is used |
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Economy - overview:
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Although
115 species of fish have been identified in the
territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only
economic activity is tuna fishing. |
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Ports and harbors:
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none;
offshore anchorage only |
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Military - note:
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defense
is the responsibility of France |
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Disputes - international:
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none |
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This page was last updated on
20 October, 2005 |
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