Clipperton Island

   Introduction Clipperton Island
   ------------------------------
                            Background: 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.
  
   Geography Clipperton Island
   ---------------------------
                              Location: Middle America, atoll in the North
                                        Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of
                                        Mexico
                Geographic coordinates: 10 17 N, 109 13 W
                        Map references: Political Map of the World
                                  Area: total: 7 sq km
                                        water: 0 sq km
                                        land: 7 sq km
                    Area - comparative: about 12 times the size of The Mall
                                        in Washington, DC
                       Land boundaries: 0 km
                             Coastline: 11.1 km
                       Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
                                        territorial sea: 12 NM
                               Climate: tropical; humid, average temperature
                                        20-32 degrees C, rains May-October
                               Terrain: coral atoll
                    Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
                                        highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29
                                        m
                     Natural resources: fish
                              Land use: arable land: 0%
                                        permanent crops: 0%
                                        other: 100% (all coral) (1998 est.)
                        Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
                       Natural hazards: NA
          Environment - current issues: NA
                      Geography - note: reef about 8 km in circumference
  
   People Clipperton Island
   ------------------------
                                    Population: uninhabited (July 2002 est.)
                        Population growth rate: NA
  
   Government Clipperton Island
   ----------------------------
                          Country name: conventional long form: none
                                        conventional short form: Clipperton
                                        Island
                                        local short form: Ile Clipperton
                                        local long form: none
                                        former: sometimes called Ile de la
                                        Passion
                     Dependency status: possession of France; administered
                                        by France from French Polynesia by a
                                        high commissioner of the Republic
                          Legal system: the laws of France, where
                                        applicable, apply
                      Flag description: the flag of France is used
  
   Economy Clipperton Island
   -------------------------
                     Economy - overview: Although 115 species of fish have
                                         been identified in the territorial
                                         waters of Clipperton Island, the
                                         only economic activity is tuna
                                         fishing.
  
  
   Transportation Clipperton Island
   --------------------------------
                                    Waterways: none
                            Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
  
   Military Clipperton Island
   --------------------------
                          Military - note: defense is the responsibility of
                                           France
  
   Transnational Issues Clipperton Island
   --------------------------------------
                                              Disputes - international: none