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Home  »  The World Factbook, 2008  »  Clipperton Island

The World Factbook. 2008.

Clipperton Island

Flag of Clipperton Island                                Map of Clipperton Island
 
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.
  
Geography
  
Location:Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
Geographic coordinates:10 17 N, 109 13 W
Map references:Political Map of the World
Area:total: 6 sq km
land: 6 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area—comparative:about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:11.1 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, wet season (May to October)
Terrain:coral atoll
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m
Natural resources:fish
Land use:arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (all coral) (2005)
Irrigated land:0 sq km
Natural hazards:NA
Environment—current issues:NA
Geography—note:reef 12 km in circumference
  
People
  
Population:uninhabited
  
Government
  
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 directly by the Minister of Overseas France
Legal system:the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Flag description:the flag of France is used
  
Economy
  
Economy—overview:Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing.
  
Transportation
  
Ports and terminals:none; offshore anchorage only
  
Military
  
Military—note:defense is the responsibility of France
  
Transnational Issues
  
Disputes—international:none