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Bassas da India (possession of France) |
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Introduction
Geography
People
Government
Economy
Transportation
Military
Transnational Issues Print This Frame Airports Hotels
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| Bassas da India | Introduction | Top of Page |
| 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. |
| Bassas da India | Geography | Top of Page |
| Location: | Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique |
| Geographic coordinates: | 21 30 S, 39 50 E |
| Map references: | Africa |
| Area: |
total:
0.2 sq km
land: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km |
| Area - comparative: | about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
| Land boundaries: | 0 km |
| Coastline: | 35.2 km |
| Maritime claims: |
exclusive economic zone:
200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
| Climate: | tropical |
| Terrain: | volcanic rock |
| Elevation extremes: |
lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m |
| Natural resources: | none |
| Land use: |
arable land:
0%
permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all rock) |
| Irrigated land: | 0 sq km (1993) |
| Natural hazards: | maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones |
| Environment - current issues: | NA |
| Geography - note: | the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano |
| Bassas da India | People | Top of Page |
| Population: | uninhabited (July 2001 est.) |
| Bassas da India | Government | Top of Page |
| 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 |
| Legal system: | the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
| Flag description: | the flag of France is used |
| Bassas da India | Economy | Top of Page |
| Economy - overview: | no economic activity |
| Bassas da India | Transportation | Top of Page |
| Waterways: | none |
| Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only |
| Bassas da India | Military | Top of Page |
| Military - note: | defense is the responsibility of France |
| Bassas da India | Transnational Issues | Top of Page |
| Disputes - international: | claimed by Madagascar |