on 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
land: 0.2 sq km
water: 0 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

People Bassas da India

Population:
uninhabited (July 2005 est.)

Government Bassas da India

Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bassas da India

Dependency status:
possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur
of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

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

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

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

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@Belarus

Introduction Belarus

Background:
After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus
attained its independence in 1991. It has retain