| Tromelin Island (possession of France) |
Introduction Geography People Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Tromelin Island | Introduction | Top of Page

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.

Tromelin Island | Geography | Top of Page

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 sq km land: 1 sq km water: 0 sq 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% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (scattered bushes)

Irrigated land: | 0 sq km (1993)

Natural hazards: | NA

Environment - current issues: | NA

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

Tromelin Island | People | Top of Page

Population: | uninhabited (July 2001 est.)

Tromelin Island | Government | Top of Page

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

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

Tromelin Island | Economy | Top of Page

Economy - overview: | no economic activity

Tromelin Island | Communications | Top of Page

Communications - note: | important meteorological station

Tromelin Island | Transportation | Top of Page

Waterways: | none

Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only

Airports: | 1 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: | total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2000 est.)

Tromelin Island | Military | Top of Page

Military - note: | defense is the responsibility of France

Tromelin Island | Transnational Issues | Top of Page

Disputes - international: | claimed by Madagascar and Mauritius