Bassas Da India

Bassas da India

Introduction Bassas da India
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. Geography Bassas da India -
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 water: 0 sq km land: 0.2 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% other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
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
Geography - note: the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano People Bassas da India
Population: uninhabited (July 2002 est.)
Population growth rate: NA Government Bassas da India
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bassas da India
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 Bassas da India -
Economy - overview: no economic activity Transportation Bassas da India
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Bassas da India
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Bassas da India
Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar

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