| Background: |
This isolated
island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it
his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in
1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration
eventually awarded the island to France, which took
possession in 1935. |
| Location: |
Middle America,
atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of
Mexico |
| Geographic
coordinates: |
10 17 N, 109 13 W |
| Area: |
total:
7 sq km
land: 7 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
| Area
- comparative: |
about 12 times
the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
| Maritime
claims: |
exclusive
economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
| Climate: |
tropical, humid,
average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains May-October |
| Elevation
extremes: |
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m |
| Land
use: |
arable land:
0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (all coral) |
| Irrigated
land: |
0 sq km (1993) |
| Environment
- current issues: |
NA |
| Geography
- note: |
reef about 8 km
in circumference |
| Population: |
uninhabited (July
2001 est.) |
| Country
name: |
conventional
long form: none
conventional short form: Clipperton Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Clipperton
former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion |
| Dependency
status: |
possession of
France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a
high commissioner of the Republic |
| Legal
system: |
the laws of
France, where applicable, apply |
| Flag
description: |
the flag of
France is used |
| Economy
- overview: |
Although 115
species of fish have been identified in the territorial
waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is
tuna fishing. |
| Ports
and harbors: |
none; offshore
anchorage only |
| Military
- note: |
defense is the
responsibility of France |
| Disputes
- international: |
none |
|
