2004 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2004 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
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.
Geography
Area
- land
- 0.2 sq km
- total
- 0.2 sq km
- water
- 0 sq km
Area - comparative
about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Climate
tropical
Coastline
35.2 km
Elevation extremes
- highest point
- unnamed location 2.4 m
- lowest point
- Indian Ocean 0 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%
- other
- 100% (all rock) (2001)
- permanent crops
- 0%
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
People and Society
Population
uninhabited (July 2004 est.)
Government
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
Economy
Economy - overview
no economic activity
Transportation
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
claimed by Madagascar This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005 @Belarus