Europa Island

   Introduction Europa Island
   --------------------------
                             Background: A French possession since 1897, the
                                         island is heavily wooded; it is the
                                         site of a small military garrison
                                         that staffs a weather station.
  
   Geography Europa Island
   -----------------------
                              Location: Southern Africa, island in the
                                        Mozambique Channel, about one-half
                                        of the way from southern Madagascar
                                        to southern Mozambique
                Geographic coordinates: 22 20 S, 40 22 E
                        Map references: Africa
                                  Area: total: 28 sq km
                                        water: 0 sq km
                                        land: 28 sq km
                    Area - comparative: about 0.16 times the size of
                                        Washington, DC
                       Land boundaries: 0 km
                             Coastline: 22.2 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 24 m
                     Natural resources: NEGL
                              Land use: arable land: 0%
                                        permanent crops: 0%
                                        other: 100% (forests and woodlands)
                                        (1998 est.)
                        Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
                       Natural hazards: NA
          Environment - current issues: NA
                      Geography - note: wildlife sanctuary
  
   People Europa Island
   --------------------
                             Population: no indigenous inhabitants
                                         note: there is a small French
                                         military garrison (July 2002 est.)
                 Population growth rate: NA
  
   Government Europa Island
   ------------------------
                           Country name: conventional long form: none
                                         conventional short form: Europa
                                         Island
                                         local short form: Ile Europa
                                         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 Europa Island
   ---------------------
                                    Economy - overview: no economic activity
  
   Communications Europa Island
   ----------------------------
                             Communications - note: 1 meteorological station
  
   Transportation Europa Island
   ----------------------------
                                    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 Europa Island
   ----------------------
                          Military - note: defense is the responsibility of
                                           France
  
   Transnational Issues Europa Island
   ----------------------------------
                             Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar