CATEGORIES
◆ ECONOMY(1 fields)
Economy - overview
no economic activity
◆ GEOGRAPHY(17 fields)
Area
total: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 0.2 sq km
Area - comparative
about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Climate
tropical
Coastline
35.2 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Geographic coordinates
21 30 S, 39 50 E
Geography - note
the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.)
Location
Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique
Map references
Africa
Maritime claims
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Natural hazards
maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones
Natural resources
none
Terrain
volcanic rock
◆ GOVERNMENT(4 fields)
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bassas da India
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
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.
◆ MILITARY(1 fields)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of France
◆ PEOPLE(1 fields)
Population
uninhabited (July 2003 est.)
◆ TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES(1 fields)
Disputes - international
claimed by Madagascar
◆ TRANSPORTATION(2 fields)
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only
Waterways
none