| Image:CIA WFB Seal.png |
Bassas da India |
Image:WFB Flag of Bassas da India.png |
| 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: |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 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) (2001) |
| 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 |
| Population: |
uninhabited (July 2004 est.) |
| 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 - overview: |
no economic activity |
| Transportation |
Bassas da India |
| Ports and harbors: |
none; offshore anchorage only |
| Military - note: |
defense is the responsibility of France |
This page was last updated on 1 January 2003
This is a snapshot of the CIA World Fact Book as it existed on 26 March 2005
This entry is from Wikisource, the free library of source texts. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
