CATEGORIES
◆ COMMUNICATIONS(1 fields)
Communications - note
important meteorological station
◆ ECONOMY(1 fields)
Economy - overview
no economic activity
◆ GEOGRAPHY(17 fields)
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
Climate
tropical
Coastline
3.7 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Geographic coordinates
15 52 S, 54 25 E
Geography - note
climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (1998 est.)
Location
Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Map references
Africa
Maritime claims
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Natural hazards
NA
Natural resources
fish
Terrain
low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic
◆ GOVERNMENT(4 fields)
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
Flag description
the flag of France is used
Legal system
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
◆ INTRODUCTION(1 fields)
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.
◆ MILITARY(1 fields)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of France
◆ PEOPLE(1 fields)
Population
uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2003 est.)
◆ TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES(1 fields)
Disputes - international
claimed by Mauritius
◆ TRANSPORTATION(4 fields)
Airports
1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only
Waterways
none