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

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