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Tromelin Island
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Background:
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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 |
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Location:
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Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar |
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Geographic coordinates: | 15 52 S, 54 25 E |
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Map references:
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Africa |
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Area:
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total: 1 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 1 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 1.7 times 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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3.7 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 continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
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Climate:
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tropical |
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Terrain:
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low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (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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NA |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Geography - note:
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climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) |
| People | Tromelin Island |
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Population:
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uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2004 est.) |
| Government | Tromelin Island |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tromelin Island local short form: Ile Tromelin local long form: none |
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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 | Tromelin Island |
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Economy - overview:
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no economic activity |
| Communications | Tromelin Island |
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Communications - note:
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important meteorological station |
| Transportation | Tromelin Island |
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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 |
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Airports:
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1 (2003 est.) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2003 est.) |
| Military | Tromelin Island |
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Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of France |
| Transnational Issues | Tromelin Island |
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Disputes - international:
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claimed by Mauritius |