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Bassas da India
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Background:
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This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968. |
| Geography | Bassas da India |
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Location:
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Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique |
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Geographic coordinates: | 21 30 S, 39 50 E |
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Map references:
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Africa |
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Area:
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total: 0.2 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 0.2 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about one-third 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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35.2 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical |
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Terrain:
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volcanic rock |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m |
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Natural resources:
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none |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.) |
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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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maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Geography - note:
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the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano |
| People | Bassas da India |
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Population:
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uninhabited (July 2004 est.) |
| Government | Bassas da India |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bassas da India |
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Dependency status:
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possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion |
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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 |
| Economy | Bassas da India |
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Economy - overview:
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no economic activity |
| Transportation | Bassas da India |
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Waterways:
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none |
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Ports and harbors:
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none; offshore anchorage only |
| Military | Bassas da India |
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Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of France |
| Transnational Issues | Bassas da India |
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Disputes - international:
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claimed by Madagascar |