(possession of France)
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Clipperton Island (possession of France) |
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| Introduction Geography People Government Economy Transportation Military Transnational Issues | ||
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| Clipperton Island | Introduction | Top of Page |
| Background: | This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935. |
| Clipperton Island | Geography | Top of Page |
| Location: | Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico |
| Geographic coordinates: | 10 17 N, 109 13 W |
| Map references: | World |
| Area: |
total:
7 sq km
land: 7 sq km water: 0 sq km |
| Area - comparative: | about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
| Land boundaries: | 0 km |
| Coastline: | 11.1 km |
| Maritime claims: |
exclusive economic zone:
200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
| Climate: | tropical, humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains May-October |
| Terrain: | coral atoll |
| Elevation extremes: |
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m |
| Natural resources: | fish |
| Land use: |
arable land:
0%
permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all coral) |
| Irrigated land: | 0 sq km (1993) |
| Natural hazards: | NA |
| Environment - current issues: | NA |
| Geography - note: | reef about 8 km in circumference |
| Clipperton Island | People | Top of Page |
| Population: | uninhabited (July 2001 est.) |
| Clipperton Island | Government | Top of Page |
| Country name: |
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form: Clipperton Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Clipperton former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion |
| Dependency status: | possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic |
| Legal system: | the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
| Flag description: | the flag of France is used |
| Clipperton Island | Economy | Top of Page |
| Economy - overview: | Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. |
| Clipperton Island | Transportation | Top of Page |
| Waterways: | none |
| Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only |
| Clipperton Island | Military | Top of Page |
| Military - note: | defense is the responsibility of France |
| Clipperton Island | Transnational Issues | Top of Page |
| Disputes - international: | none |