Glorioso Islands

   Introduction Glorioso Islands
   -----------------------------
                            Background: A French possession since 1892, the
                                        Glorioso Islands are composed of two
                                        lushly vegetated islands (Ile
                                        Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three
                                        rock islets. A military garrison
                                        operates a weather and radio station
                                        on Ile Glorieuse.
  
   Geography Glorioso Islands
   --------------------------
                              Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in
                                        the Indian Ocean, northwest of
                                        Madagascar
                Geographic coordinates: 11 30 S, 47 20 E
                        Map references: Africa
                                  Area: total: 5 sq km
                                        note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du
                                        Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and
                                        South Rock
                                        water: 0 sq km
                                        land: 5 sq km
                    Area - comparative: about eight times the size of The
                                        Mall in Washington, DC
                       Land boundaries: 0 km
                             Coastline: 35.2 km
                       Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
                                        territorial sea: 12 NM
                               Climate: tropical
                               Terrain: low and flat
                    Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
                                        highest point: unnamed location 12 m
                     Natural resources: guano, coconuts
                              Land use: arable land: 0%
                                        permanent crops: 0%
                                        other: 100% (all lush vegetation and
                                        coconut palms) (1998 est.)
                        Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
                       Natural hazards: periodic cyclones
          Environment - current issues: NA
                      Geography - note: the islands and rocks are surrounded
                                        by an extensive reef system
  
   People Glorioso Islands
   -----------------------
                             Population: no indigenous inhabitants
                                         note: there is a small French
                                         military garrison (July 2002 est.)
                 Population growth rate: NA
  
   Government Glorioso Islands
   ---------------------------
                           Country name: conventional long form: none
                                         conventional short form: Glorioso
                                         Islands
                                         local short form: Iles Glorieuses
                                         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
    Diplomatic representation in the US: none (possession of France)
      Diplomatic representation from the none (possession of France)
                                     US:
                       Flag description: the flag of France is used
  
   Economy Glorioso Islands
   ------------------------
                                    Economy - overview: no economic activity
  
   Communications Glorioso Islands
   -------------------------------
                             Communications - note: 1 meteorological station
  
   Transportation Glorioso Islands
   -------------------------------
                                    Waterways: none
                            Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
                                     Airports: 1 (2001)
              Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1
                                               914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2001)
  
   Military Glorioso Islands
   -------------------------
                          Military - note: defense is the responsibility of
                                           France
  
   Transnational Issues Glorioso Islands
   -------------------------------------
                             Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar