| Glorioso Islands |
|
|
|
| Introduction | Glorioso Islands |
|
Background:
|
A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. |
| Geography | Glorioso Islands |
|
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
note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock water: 0 sq km land: 5 sq km |
|
Area - comparative:
|
about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
|
Coastline:
|
35.2 km |
|
Maritime claims:
|
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 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% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2001) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
0 sq km (1998 est.) |
|
Natural hazards:
|
periodic cyclones |
|
Environment - current issues:
|
NA |
|
Geography - note:
|
the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system |
| People | Glorioso Islands |
|
Population:
|
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2005 est.) |
| Government | Glorioso Islands |
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local short form: Iles Glorieuses 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 |
|
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 |
| Economy | Glorioso Islands |
|
Economy - overview:
|
no economic activity |
| Communications | Glorioso Islands |
|
Communications - note:
|
1 meteorological station |
| Transportation | Glorioso Islands |
|
Ports and harbors:
|
none; offshore anchorage only |
|
Airports:
|
1 (2004 est.) |
|
Airports - with unpaved runways:
|
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
| Military | Glorioso Islands |
|
Military - note:
|
defense is the responsibility of France |
| Transnational Issues | Glorioso Islands |
|
Disputes - international:
|
claimed by Madagascar |
|
This page was last updated on 17 May, 2005 |