CATEGORIES
◆ COMMUNICATIONS(1 fields)
Communications - note
1 meteorological station
◆ ECONOMY(1 fields)
Economy - overview
no economic activity
◆ GEOGRAPHY(16 fields)
Area
total: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock
Area - comparative
about eight times 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 12 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Geographic coordinates
11 30 S, 47 20 E
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1993)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms)
Location
Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar
Map references
Africa
Maritime claims
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Natural hazards
periodic cyclones
Natural resources
guano, coconuts
Terrain
low and flat
◆ GOVERNMENT(6 fields)
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local long form: none local short form: Iles Glorieuses
Dependency status
possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (possession of France)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (possession of France)
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 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.
◆ 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 (July 2001 est.)
◆ TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES(1 fields)
Disputes - international
claimed by Madagascar
◆ TRANSPORTATION(4 fields)
Airports
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2000 est.)
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only
Waterways
none