In general, information available as of 1 January 2002
was used in the preparation of The World Factbook 2002.

This page was last updated on 19 March 2003

Introduction

Tromelin Island

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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.

Geography

Tromelin Island

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Location:	Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates:	15 52 S, 54 25 E
Map references:	Africa
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
Land boundaries:	0 km
Coastline:	3.7 km
Maritime claims:	continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:	tropical
Terrain:	low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic
Elevation extremes:	lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m
Natural resources:	fish
Land use:	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:	0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:	NA
Environment - current issues:	NA
Geography - note:	climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)

People

Tromelin Island

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Population:

uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2002 est.)

Government

Tromelin Island

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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
Legal system:	the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Flag description:	the flag of France is used

Economy

Tromelin Island

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Economy - overview:

no economic activity

Communications

Tromelin Island

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Communications - note:

important meteorological station

Transportation

Tromelin Island

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Waterways:	none
Ports and harbors:	none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:	1 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways:	total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)

Military

Tromelin Island

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Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues

Tromelin Island

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Disputes - international:

claimed by Madagascar and Mauritius

This page was last updated on 19 March 2003