From CIA World Factbook 2002 :
Tromelin Island
Introduction Tromelin Island
----------------------------
Background: First explored by the French in
1776, the island came under the
jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At
present, it serves as a sea turtle
sanctuary and is the site of an
important meteorological station.
Geography Tromelin Island
-------------------------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the
Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 15 52 S, 54 25 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 1 sq km
Area - comparative: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall
in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3.7 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to
the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low, flat, and sandy
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (scattered bushes) (1998
est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: climatologically important location
for forecasting cyclones; wildlife
sanctuary
People Tromelin Island
----------------------
Population: uninhabited (July 2002 est.)
Population growth rate: NA
Government Tromelin Island
--------------------------
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tromelin
Island
local short form: Ile Tromelin
local long form: none
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 Tromelin Island
-----------------------
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Communications Tromelin Island
------------------------------
Communications - note: important meteorological station
Transportation Tromelin Island
------------------------------
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: 1 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2001)
Military Tromelin Island
------------------------
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of
France
Transnational Issues Tromelin Island
------------------------------------
Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar and Mauritius