2003 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2003 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Area
- land
- 6 sq km
- total
- 6 sq km
- water
- 0 sq km
Area - comparative
about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Background
This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935. Geography Clipperton Island
Climate
tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains May-October
Coastline
11.1 km
Country name
- conventional long form
- none
- conventional short form
- Clipperton Island
- former
- sometimes called Ile de la Passion
- local long form
- none
- local short form
- Ile Clipperton
Dependency status
possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic
Disputes - international
none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
Economy - overview
Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. Transportation Clipperton Island
Elevation extremes
- highest point
- Rocher Clipperton 29 m
- lowest point
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Flag description
the flag of France is used Economy Clipperton Island
Geographic coordinates
10 17 N, 109 13 W
Geography - note
reef 12 km in circumference People Clipperton Island
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- arable land
- 0%
- other
- 100% (all coral) (1998 est.)
- permanent crops
- 0%
Legal system
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Location
Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
Map references
Political Map of the World
Maritime claims
- exclusive economic zone
- 200 NM
- territorial sea
- 12 NM
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Clipperton Island
Natural hazards
NA
Natural resources
fish
Population
uninhabited (July 2003 est.) Government Clipperton Island
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only Military Clipperton Island
Terrain
coral atoll
Waterways
none