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In general, information available as of 1 January 2003 was used in the preparation of The World Factbook 2003. This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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| Introduction | Bassas da India | Top of Page
Background: | This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968.
| Geography | Bassas da India | Top of Page
Location: | Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: | 21 30 S, 39 50 E
Map references: | Africa
Area: | total: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 0.2 sq km
Area - comparative: | about one-third 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: | volcanic rock
Elevation extremes: | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m
Natural resources: | none
Land use: | arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: | 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: | maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones
Environment - current issues: | NA
Geography - note: | the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
| People | Bassas da India | Top of Page
Population: | uninhabited (July 2003 est.)
| Government | Bassas da India | Top of Page
Country name: | conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bassas da India
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
| Economy | Bassas da India | Top of Page
Economy - overview: | no economic activity
| Transportation | Bassas da India | Top of Page
Waterways: | none
Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only
| Military | Bassas da India | Top of Page
Military - note: | defense is the responsibility of France
| Transnational Issues | Bassas da India | Top of Page
Disputes - international: | claimed by Madagascar
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003