CATEGORIES
◆ COMMUNICATIONS(1 fields)
Communications - note
1 meteorological station
◆ ECONOMY(2 fields)
Economy - overview
no economic activity
Industries
none
◆ GEOGRAPHY(17 fields)
Area
total: 28 sq km land: 28 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
about 0.16 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
tropical
Coastline
22.2 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 24 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Geographic coordinates
22 20 S, 40 22 E
Geography - note
wildlife sanctuary
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mangrove forests and woodlands) (2001)
Location
Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way between southern Madagascar and southern Mozambique
Map references
Africa
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
NA
Natural resources
NEGL
Terrain
low and flat
◆ GOVERNMENT(4 fields)
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Europa Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Europa
Dependency status
possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Flag description
the flag of France is used
Legal system
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
◆ INTRODUCTION(1 fields)
Background
A French possession since 1897, the island is heavily wooded; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station.
◆ MILITARY(1 fields)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of France
◆ PEOPLE(1 fields)
Population
no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2005 est.)
◆ TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES(1 fields)
Disputes - international
claimed by Madagascar
◆ TRANSPORTATION(3 fields)
Airports
1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only