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Background:
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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. |
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Location:
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Southern
Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
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Geographic coordinates:
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15 52 S,
54 25 E |
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Map references:
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Africa
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Area:
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total:
1 sq km
land: 1 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 1.7
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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3.7 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of
exploitation |
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Climate:
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tropical
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Terrain:
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low,
flat, and sandy; likely volcanic |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest
point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 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% (grasses; scattered bushes) (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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climatologically important location for forecasting
cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) |
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Population:
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uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2005
est.) |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tromelin Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Tromelin |
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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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Communications - note:
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important
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
under 914 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:
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claimed
by Mauritius |
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This page was last updated on
20 October, 2005 |
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