1999 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1999 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Area
total: 7 sq km land: 7 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area--comparative
about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Climate
tropical, humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains May-October
Coastline
11.1 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m
Environment--current issues
NA
Environment--international agreements
party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geographic coordinates
10 17 N, 109 13 W
Geography--note
reef about 8 km in circumference
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 coral)
Location
Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
Map references
World
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
Natural hazards
subject to tornadoes
Natural resources
none
Terrain
coral atoll
People and Society
Population
uninhabited
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Clipperton Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Clipperton former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion
Data code
IP
Dependency status
possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic
Flag description
the flag of France is used
Legal system
NA Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of France)
Economy
Economy--overview
Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is a tuna fishing station.
Military and Security
Military--note
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international
none