Bassas da India

From the CIA World Factbook 2000. Not Wikified.

• History
• Geography
• People
• Government
• Economy
• Communications
• Transportation
• Military
• Transnational Issues

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Geography

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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 land: 0.2 sq km water: 0 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% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all rock)

Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)

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

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People

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Population: uninhabited (July 2000 est.)

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Government

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Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bassas da India

Data code: BS

Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion

Flag description: the flag of France is used

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Economy

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Economy - overview: no economic activity

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Transportation

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Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

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Military

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Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

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Transnational Issues

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Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar