North America :: Clipperton Island (possession of France)

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## 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 country comparison to the world: 245 land: 6 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:
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, 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:
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (2011)
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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