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

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