Factbook Logo Glorioso Islands
(possession of France)
Flag of Glorioso Islands
   Introduction   Geography   People   Government   Economy   Communications   Transportation   Military   Transnational Issues  
Map of Glorioso Islands

Glorioso Islands    Introduction Top of Page
Background: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.
Glorioso Islands    Geography Top of Page
Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 11 30 S, 47 20 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total:  5 sq km

land:  5 sq km

water:  0 sq km

note:  includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock
Area - comparative: about eight times 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: low and flat
Elevation extremes: lowest point:  Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point:  unnamed location 12 m
Natural resources: guano, coconuts
Land use: arable land:  0%

permanent crops:  0%

permanent pastures:  0%

forests and woodland:  0%

other:  100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: periodic cyclones
Environment - current issues: NA
Glorioso Islands    People Top of Page
Population: no indigenous inhabitants

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

conventional short form:  Glorioso Islands

local long form:  none

local short form:  Iles Glorieuses
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
Glorioso Islands    Economy Top of Page
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Glorioso Islands    Communications Top of Page
Communications - note: 1 meteorological station
Glorioso Islands    Transportation Top of Page
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.)
Glorioso Islands    Military Top of Page
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Glorioso Islands    Transnational Issues Top of Page
Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar