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Glorioso Islands

Background:

A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral 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 - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 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 along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2004 est.)
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 US:
none (possession of France)
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 (2003 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2003 est.)
Military Glorioso Islands
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues Glorioso Islands
Disputes - international:
claimed by Madagascar