Tromelin Island

1. Tromelin Island Introduction

Background:
  First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the
  jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle
  sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station.

2. Tromelin Island Geography

Location:
  Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Geographic coordinates:
  15 52 S, 54 25 E

Map references:
  Africa

Area:
  total: 1 km
  water: 0 km
  land: 1 km

Area - comparative:
  about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
  0 km

Coastline:
  3.7 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, flat, and sandy

Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
  highest point: unnamed location 7 m

Natural resources:
  fish

Land use:
  arable land: 0%
  permanent crops: 0%
  other: 100% (scattered bushes) (1998 est.)

Irrigated land:
  0 km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
  NA

Environment - current issues:
  NA

Geography - note:
  climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife
  sanctuary

3. Tromelin Island People

Population:
  uninhabited (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate:
  NA

4. Tromelin Island Government

Country name:
  conventional long form: none
  conventional short form: Tromelin Island
  local short form: Ile Tromelin
  local long form: none

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

5. Tromelin Island Economy

Economy - overview:
  no economic activity

6. Tromelin Island Communications

Communications - note:
  important meteorological station

7. Tromelin Island Transportation

Waterways:
  none

Ports and harbors:
  none; offshore anchorage only

Airports:
  1 (2001)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 1
  under 914 m: 1 (2001)

8. Tromelin Island Military

Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of France

9. Tromelin Island Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
  claimed by Madagascar and Mauritius
