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Background:
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A French
possession since 1897, the island is heavily wooded; it
is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a
weather station. |
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Location:
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Southern
Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way
between southern Madagascar and southern Mozambique |
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Geographic coordinates:
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22 20 S,
40 22 E |
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Map references:
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Africa
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Area:
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total:
28 sq km
land: 28 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about
0.16 times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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22.2 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
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Terrain:
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low and
flat |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest
point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 24 m |
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Natural resources:
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NEGL |
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Land use:
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arable
land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (mangrove forests and woodlands)
(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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wildlife
sanctuary |
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Population:
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no
indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a small French military garrison
and a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July
2005 est.) |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Europa Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Europa |
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Dependency status:
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possession of France; administered by the Administrateur
Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
|
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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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no
economic activity |
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Industries:
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none |
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Communications - note:
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1
meteorological station |
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Ports and harbors:
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none;
offshore anchorage only |
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Airports:
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1 (2004
est.) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total:
1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
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Military - note:
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defense
is the responsibility of France |
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Disputes - international:
|
claimed
by Madagascar |
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This page was last updated on
20 October, 2005 |
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