CIA World Fact Book, 2004/Bassas da India


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!| 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.
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!| Location: !| Geographic coordinates: !| Map references: !| Area: water: 0 sq km land: 0.2 sq km !| Area - comparative: !| Land boundaries: !| Coastline: !| Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm !| Climate: !| Terrain: !| Elevation extremes: highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m !| Natural resources: !| Land use: permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (2001) !| Irrigated land: !| Natural hazards: !| Environment - current issues: !| Geography - note:
 * Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique
 * 21 30 S, 39 50 E
 * Africa
 * total: 0.2 sq km
 * about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
 * 0 km
 * 35.2 km
 * territorial sea: 12 nm
 * tropical
 * volcanic rock
 * lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
 * none
 * arable land: 0%
 * 0 sq km (1998 est.)
 * maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones
 * NA
 * the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
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!| Population:
 * uninhabited (July 2004 est.)
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!| Country name: conventional short form: Bassas da India !| Dependency status: !| Legal system: !| Flag description:
 * conventional long form: none
 * possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
 * the laws of France, where applicable, apply
 * the flag of France is used
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!| Economy - overview:
 * no economic activity
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!| Ports and harbors:
 * none; offshore anchorage only
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!| Military - note:
 * defense is the responsibility of France
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