Tromelin Island

   Introduction Tromelin Island
   ----------------------------
                            Background: 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.
  
   Geography Tromelin Island
   -------------------------
                              Location: Southern Africa, island in the
                                        Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
                Geographic coordinates: 15 52 S, 54 25 E
                        Map references: Africa
                                  Area: total: 1 sq km
                                        water: 0 sq km
                                        land: 1 sq km
                    Area - comparative: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall
                                        in Washington, DC
                       Land boundaries: 0 km
                             Coastline: 3.7 km
                       Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to
                                        the depth of exploitation
                                        exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
                                        territorial sea: 12 NM
                               Climate: tropical
                               Terrain: low, flat, and sandy
                    Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
                                        highest point: unnamed location 7 m
                     Natural resources: fish
                              Land use: arable land: 0%
                                        permanent crops: 0%
                                        other: 100% (scattered bushes) (1998
                                        est.)
                        Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
                       Natural hazards: NA
          Environment - current issues: NA
                      Geography - note: climatologically important location
                                        for forecasting cyclones; wildlife
                                        sanctuary
  
   People Tromelin Island
   ----------------------
                                    Population: uninhabited (July 2002 est.)
                        Population growth rate: NA
  
   Government Tromelin Island
   --------------------------
                           Country name: conventional long form: none
                                         conventional short form: Tromelin
                                         Island
                                         local short form: Ile Tromelin
                                         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
                       Flag description: the flag of France is used
  
   Economy Tromelin Island
   -----------------------
                                    Economy - overview: no economic activity
  
   Communications Tromelin Island
   ------------------------------
                     Communications - note: important meteorological station
  
   Transportation Tromelin Island
   ------------------------------
                                    Waterways: none
                            Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
                                     Airports: 1 (2001)
              Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1
                                               under 914 m: 1 (2001)
  
   Military Tromelin Island
   ------------------------
                          Military - note: defense is the responsibility of
                                           France
  
   Transnational Issues Tromelin Island
   ------------------------------------
               Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar and Mauritius