Highways Juan de Nova Island
(possession of France)
Flag of Juan de Nova Island
   Introduction   Geography   People   Government   Economy   Communications   Transportation   Military   Transnational Issues   Print This Frame Airports Hotels



Map of Juan de Nova Island

Juan de Nova Island    Introduction Top of Page
Background: Named after a famous 15th century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station.
Juan de Nova Island    Geography Top of Page
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 17 03 S, 42 45 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total:  4.4 sq km

land:  4.4 sq km

water:  0 sq km
Area - comparative: about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 24.1 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf:  200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:  200 NM

territorial sea:  12 NM
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low and flat
Elevation extremes: lowest point:  Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point:  unnamed location 10 m
Natural resources: guano deposits and other fertilizers
Land use: arable land:  0%

permanent crops:  0%

permanent pastures:  0%

forests and woodland:  90%

other:  10%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: periodic cyclones
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: wildlife sanctuary
Juan de Nova Island    People Top of Page
Population: no indigenous inhabitants

note:  there is a small French military garrison (July 2001 est.)
Juan de Nova Island    Government Top of Page
Country name: conventional long form:  none

conventional short form:  Juan de Nova Island

local long form:  none

local short form:  Ile Juan de Nova
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
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (possession of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (possession of France)
Flag description: the flag of France is used
Juan de Nova Island    Economy Top of Page
Economy - overview: Up to 12,000 tons of guano are mined per year.
Juan de Nova Island    Communications Top of Page
Communications - note: 1 meteorological station
Juan de Nova Island    Transportation Top of Page
Railways: total:  NA km; short line going to a jetty
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: 1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total:  1

914 to 1,523 m:  1 (2000 est.)
Juan de Nova Island    Military Top of Page
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Juan de Nova Island    Transnational Issues Top of Page
Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar



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