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North America :: Clipperton Island (possession of France)

- ## Introduction :: CLIPPERTON ISLAND

- Background:
  This isolated atoll was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who was rumored to have made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855 and claimed by the United States, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France in 1931, which took possession in 1935.

- ## Geography :: CLIPPERTON ISLAND

- 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:
  Political Map of the World
  Area:
  total: 6 sq km
  land: 6 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 247
  Area - comparative:
  about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  11.1 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees celcius, wet season (May to October)
  Terrain:
  coral atoll
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m
  Natural resources:
  fish
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 0%
  arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0%
  forest: 0%
  other: 100% (all coral) (2011 est.)
  Natural hazards:
  NA
  Environment - current issues:
  NA
  Geography - note:
  the atoll reef is approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) in circumference; an effort to colonize the atoll in the early 20th century ended in disaster and was abandoned in 1917

- ## People and Society :: CLIPPERTON ISLAND

- Population:
  uninhabited

- ## Government :: CLIPPERTON ISLAND

- 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 directly by the Minister of Overseas France
  Legal system:
  the laws of France apply
  Flag description:
  the flag of France is used

- ## Economy :: CLIPPERTON ISLAND

- Economy - overview:
  Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing.

- ## Transportation :: CLIPPERTON ISLAND

- Ports and terminals:
  none; offshore anchorage only

- ## Military :: CLIPPERTON ISLAND

- Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of France

- ## Transnational Issues :: CLIPPERTON ISLAND

- Disputes - international:
  none

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